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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT
CHARTER OAK,
As standing in Hartford in 1829.
(Page 85.)
PREFACE.
Though Connecticut be the most flourish-
ing, and proportionally, the most populous
province in North America, it has hitherto
found no writer to introduce it, in its own
right, to the notice of the world. Slight and
cursory mention in the accounts of other
provinces, or of America in general, has
yet only been made of it. The historians
of New-England have constantly endeavor-
ed to aggrandize Massachusetts Bay as the
parent of the other colonies, and as com-
prehending all that is worthy of attention,
in that country. Thus governor Hutchin-
son says, in the preface to his history of
that province, " that there was no importa-
tion of planters from England to any part of
the continent, northward of Maryland, ex-
cept to the Massachusetts, for more than
fifty years after the colony began ;" not
knowing or wilHng to forget or to conceal,
that Saybrook, New-Haven, and Long
4) PREFACE.
Island, were settled by emigrantsyrom E7ig-
land within half that period. Another rea-
son for the obscurity in which the Connecti-
tensians have hitherto been involved, is to
be found among their own sinister views
and purposes. Prudence dictated, that
their deficiency in point of right to the soil
they occupied, their wanton and barbarous
persecutions, illegal practices, daring usur-
pations, etc. had better be concealed than
exposed to public view. To dissipate this
cloud of prejudice and knavery, and to
bring to light truths long concealed, is the
motive of my offering the following sheets
to the world. I am bold to assert, that
Connecticut merits a fuller account than
envy or ignorance has yet suffered to be
given of it ; and that 1 have followed the
line of truth freely, and unbiassed by par-
tiality or prejudice. The reader therefore,
will not be surprised, should I have placed
the New Englanders in a different light from
that in which they have yet appeared : their
characterizers have not been sufficiently
unprejudiced, unawed by power, or unaf-
fected by the desire of obtaining it, alvva-ys
to set them in the true one. Dr. Mather
PREFACE.
and Mr. Neal were popular writers ; but at
the time they extolled the prudence and pi-
ety of the colonists, they suppressed what
are called in New England unnecessary
truths. Governor Hutchinson who loved
fame, and feared giving ofience, published a
few only of those truths ; which failed not
to procure him a proportionate share of
popular distrust and odium. For my own
part, I believe my readers will give me cre-
dit, for having neither the favor nor the fear
of man before me in writing this history
of Connecticut. I discard the one ; I court
not the other. My sole aim has been to
represent the country, the people and their
transactions in proper colors.
Too much, however, must not be expect-
ed from me. 1 am very sensible of many
great defects in this performance, where-
in very little assistance was to be obtain-
ed from the publications, of others. Mr.
(yhalmers indeed who is writing '•'Political
Annals of the present United Colonic s^"^^ pur-
sues that task with great pains and address.
His researches have been of some use to
me ; but, as to the New England writers, er-
ror, disguise, and misrepresentation, too
1*
b PREFACE.
much abound in them to be serviceable in
this undertaking, though they related more
to the subject than they do. The good-na-
tured critic, therefore, will excuse the want
of a regular and connected detail of facts
and events, which it was impossible for me
to preserve, having been deprived of papers
of my ancestors which would have given
my relation that and other advantages. I
hope, therefore, for much indulgence, stri-
king, as I have done, into a new and dark
path almost wholly without a guide. If I
have carried myself through it, though with
some digressions, yet without incurring the
danger of being accounted a deceiver, my
disordered garb will, I presume, find an apo-
logy in the ruggedness of the road, and my
scripture phraseology be ascribed to the
usage of my country.
For three generations my forefathers were
careful observers of the proceedings of the
Connecticut colonists ; and if their papers
and myself should continue in existence till
a return of peace shall restore them to my
possession, I trust the public will not be dis-
pleased with the design I have of commit-
ting them to the press. Jn the meantime,
PREFACE.
lest that event should never take place, I
beg their acceptance of the present volume,
which, whatever other historical requisite it
may want, must, I think, be allowed to pos-
sess originality and truth, (rare properties
in modern publications,) and therefore, I
hope, will not be deemed unworthy the pub-
lic favor.
PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITIOJV.
The authorship of the volume entitled a
" General History of Connecticut," has
been, as it were, traditionally ascribed in
this country, to the Rev. Samuel Peters, a
clergyman of the church of England and a
loyalist who lived in New England during
the troubles which preceded the revolution-
ary war. It is quite true, that Mr. Peters
has never either asserted or denied his
claim to the parentage of the work imputed
to him ; yet, aside from the opinion univer-
sally prevalent in New England, there is the
most clear and satisfactory circumstantial
evidence of his and our author's identity,
derived from a comparison between his
anonymous and acknowledged writings.
Indeed, the fact may be very easily ascertain-
ed by a slight examination of the work now
published and the "History of Hugh Pe-
ters," a book avowedly written by our au-
10 PREFACE.
thor ; in both of which, the most cursory and
careless reader will discover in the reckless-
ness of the style, and now and then, in the
use of a pet phrase, the most certain indica-
tions of the same hand.* But besides the
internal evidence which may be gathered
from a perusal of the works referred to,
there are circumstances in the life of Mr. Pe-
ters, which he has himself given to the
world, which point him out as the undoubted
author of the present volume. Certain it
is, that a person answering the description
given of the Rev, Samuel Peters, flourished at
the time mentioned, in Hebron in Connecti-
cut, who, by reason of his attachment to the
*The following specimen may be taken as an example
©f the many instances which occur in both books, passim.
" Ten years ago, the great majority would sooner have
run their heads against the burning mountains, than
have lifted up a finger with a view to a political separa-
tion from Great Britain." Hist, of Conn. App.
" Had this not been the case, I believe Dr. Coke
would sooner have run his head against a burning moun-
tain, than have travelled over the West Indies, Ameri-
ca and the united kingdom of Great Britain, and acted
as he has done the part of a bishop." Hist, of Hugh
Peters, by the Rev. Samuel Peters, LL. D. p. 13, note.
PREFACE. 11
church of England, and his open and avow-
ed loyalty to the house of Hanover, was
obliged to take refuge, from the turbulence
of those times, under the wing of the royal
army, which was, at that period, quartered
in Boston for the purpose of enforcing obe-
dience to the acts of the British parliament ;
and who was afterwards under the necessity
of making his escape to England and to
leave his property and family to await the
issue of the struggle which was then pend-
ing between Great Britain and her rebelUous
colonies. His book made its first appear-
ance in London, in the year 1791 and, if
public conjecture be correct, it must have
been written during our author's residence
in England, while the war of the revolution
was at its height, and before the power
of Great Britain was completely annihila-
ted in the colonies of New England, it is
in this way that we may very reasonably ac-
count for the anonymous character of the
work ; a character whieh has been thought,
perhaps unjustly, to detract from its merits
as a history ; as we may well suppose, that
prudence would necessarily have suggested
12 PREFACE.
to the loyalists the policy of avoiding any
course of conduct which might expose them
to the odium of a people who were already
sufficiently exasperated, and among whom
were situated those possessions which they
had been obhged to abandon, but which,
they could not but hope, they might one
day resume. Our author, therefore, had the
best of all reasons for preserving his incog-
nito^ without resorting to the supposition,
that his book contained opinions and asser-
tions which he might fmd it convenient, at
some future period, to disavow, or which he
mi^ht be ashamed to sive to the world un-
der the sanction of his own name. The
w^ork, as our author himself acknowledges
in his preffice, contains some " unnecessary
truths," but they were ''truths," nevertheless,
which he might well hesitate to publish as
an individual, knowing, as he must have
known, that they were unwelcome " truths,"
v/hich might be turned to his prejudice and
render his situation unhappy in the event of
a restoration of the ancient regime in the
colonies. Mr. Peters was a martyr to his
principles, who sacrificed every thing in the
PREFACE*
13
eause of his royal master, and as such, is en-
titled to some indulgence in the expression
of his sentiments and for the manner in
which he has thought proper to give them
publicity . He, certainly, of all men, has an
undoubted right to his opinions, for they
were purchased dearly ; and it is too much
to expect, that after having sacrificed every
thing but a miserable hope of a change of
fortune, he should deliberately proceed to
give the death-blow to that hope, by placing
a weapon in the hands of his political adver-
saries which might be turned against him-
self and render that change any thing but
desirable. To the same cause may also be as-
cribed the frequent recurrence of passages
in the body of the work, in which our author
occasionally indulges himself in auto-biogra-
phy when speaking in the third person, and
now and then, in a strain of eulogy better
suited to the character of a person who had
been dead a century, than to that of one
who was then hving ; a license which may
startle the reader who has formed strict,
and perhaps squeamish notions of the dig-
nity and sobriety of historical relations-
2
14 PREFACE.
He must not fail however, to bear in mind,
as he goes along, that the Rev. Samuel
Peters was too important and prominent a
personage, to be passed over in silence,
even in a *' general history of Connecti-
cut," without disclosing what our author
seems to have been particularly careful to
conceal. The sanction of a name, there-
fore, as it was not to have been expected at
the time our author wrote, it would per-
haps be unreasonable, at this day, to re-
quire as a means of giving credit to his nar-
rations : especially as the purposes for
which they were written have been answer-
ed, and as the course of events may possi-
bly, have rendered such a measure prejudi-
cial to the very numerous and respectable
body of relations, now living, who have their
descent from the same common ancestor.
Still however, as has been before mention-
ed, the objection, if indeed it may be deem-
ed just, may now be considered as in some
degree obviated, as public opinion together
with the internal evidence derived from
the book itself, have conspired to establish
its authenticity and to do for the author
PREFACE. 16
what, from motives of prudence, he might
perhaps scruple to do for himself.
Taking it for granted then, that the con-
jectures which have been formed respecting
the connection of Mr. Peters with the work
imputed to him, are well founded, it may
justly be expected, that in the first Ameri-
can edition of his book, a more detailed
account should be given of an author who
has rendered himself famous both in Old
and New England. This duty is rendered
more pressing, as the means of information
are at hand, which may not be very gener-
ally in the possession of a great majOriiy of
readers. Some light is thrown upon his
genealogy in the present volume, but, a
more particular account of his family and
descent is contained in the work, to which
allusion has before been made, bearing his
name upon the title-page. No one howev-
er, but a pains-taking antiquary would sub-
mit to the trouble of following the author
through the very minute details of that vol-
ume ; nor would the most diligent inquirer
find his labor rewarded by any adequate re-
turn. A meaning which does not stare one
\x\ the face, is, to the vast variety of readers,
16
PREFACE.
as good as no meaning at all ; and to
such it cannot but prove a most grateful
service to exhibit in a clear and condensed
form, what would perhaps cost them con-
siderable time to accomplish. Genealogy,
unless it be that of one's own family, is at best
a barren and perplexing subject ; and that
of the house of Peters is found to be pecu-
liarly embarrassed, not only from its almost
unaccountable increase, but from the perpet-
ual recurrence of the same favorite names,
which seem to have been cherished, with
peculiar fondness, from generation to gen-
eration. The heads of that family left, one
of them, sixteen children, and the rest with-
out an exception, no less than six sons and
a brace or two of daughters not accounted
for, all of whom received and transmitted
to their posterity the old family appellatives,
such as John, Andrew, Thomas, William,
Samuel, Joseph, with now and then, an oc-
casional variation in favor of Bemslee,
Birdseye, or Jonathan. The first law of
nature seems never to have received so
practical an illustration as in this case ; and
without meaning to revive old jealousies or
to stigmatize an ancient and certainly very
prefacp:.
17
numerous family, it is to be hoped that it
may be stated, without giving offence, that,
from the very rapid increase of the posterity
of John and Mary Peters of Hebron, since
the year 1717, which amounted, in the short
period of ninety years to about two hundred
and fifty souls, our author himself deduces
an argument against the deists in favor of
the Mosaic account of the three-score and
ten Jews, that went into Egypt and after
four hundred years, returned to Palestine,
under the command of Moses, in a body of
five millions.
The Rev. Samuel Peters, the reputed au-
thor of the work now first pubhshed in this
country, was the fourth son of John Peters,
of Hebron in Connecticut, and the great-
grand son of Wm. Peters, Esq. one of three
brothers William, Thomas, and Hugh, of an
ancient and opulent family in England, who
migrated to this country in the year of
grace 1634. The fanatical irregularities
and extravagances of these men, (of whom
the two last were silenced clergymen and
the former a private gentleman,) had render-
ed them obnoxious to the Star-Charaber
2*
18 PREFACE.
Court, and were the more immediate causes
of their taking refuge in what was termed,
in the language of the day, "a howUng
wilderness." The Rev. Thomas Peters set-
tled at Saybrook, where he established the
school which has since grown up into the
flourishing university of Yale College. Hugh
settled in Salem in Massachusetts, and
afterwards in Boston, where he attained
eminence as a scholar and divine. During
the discontents which afterwards arose be-
tween king Charles and his parliament, he
was induced by the court at Boston, to as-
sume the office of agent to Great Britian;
an agency which was undertaken by
him, under color of petitioning for some
abatement of customs and excise. His
real commission, however, seems to have
been to assist in blowing up the coals be-
tween the king and parliament, and per-
haps, to gratify a lurking spirit of revenge,
which he may well be supposed to have enter-
tained, towards the bishops and court who
had turned him out of the church for his fa-
natical conduct. On his arrival in London,
he was taken into the service of the parlia-
PREFACE,
19
nient, and was afterwards liberally patroni- :
zed by them at the expense of Archbishop i
Laud, whose library and office, as well as i
his estate and palace at Lambeth, fell into
his hands ; all which he kept till the Resto- \
ration, when he paid for his zeal, his puri- |
tanism and rebellion on a gibbet at Cha- I
ring-Cross. He left but one daughter, who i
was married to a gentleman in Rhode-island; j
and as the Rev. Thomas Peters left no i
child, all of the name of Peters, in the six \
states of New England, have their descent
from William Peters, Esq. who settled near |
Boston in 1664. Our author has his de- ^
scent also, on the mother's side, from Ma- j
jor General Thomas Harrison, who figures i
so conspicuously in one of the Waverly
novels, and who, as is well known, suffered
the fate of all those who had taken an ac- |
live part in the murder of the first Charles.
This event, as well as the death of the mar-
tyr Hugh, is duly commemorated in one of
those unique passages which have been |
before mentioned, as contained in the |
present volume ; and also in the " History ;
of Hugh Peters," to which allusion has also
20
PREFACE.
beenmade.^ Mr.Peters became a clergyman
of the church of England m 1760, and ac-
cording to his account, " was the first of
that name in Ne\Y England, who deviated
from the rehgious system of his renowned
ancestors, and for it he was driven from his
country, his property and family in 1774;"
*" Here (Hebron) also reside some of the descend-
ants of Wilham Peters, Esq. already spoken of, among
whom is the Rev. Samuel Peters, an episcopal clergy-
man, who by Ins generosity and zeal for the church of
England and loyalty to the house of Hanover, has
rendered himself famous both in New and Old England,
and in some degree made an atonement for the fanati-
cism and treasons of his uncle Hugh, and of his ances-
tor on his mother's side, Major Gen. Thomas Harrison
both hanged at Charing-Cross in tlie last century.''
History of Conn.
"Samuel Peters, LL. D., «on of John and MaryPe-
ters of Hebron, born A. D. 1717, a clergyman of the
church of England, was rector of the churches in Hebron
and Hartford in Connecticut until 1774, when he went
to England to shun the turbulence and madness of those
times. He is reputed to have the faculties of his mole
Hugh, the zeal and courage of his grandparent Gen
Thomas Harrison, mixed with the benevolence that
characterized his great-grand parent William Peters
Esq. of 1 634." History of Hugh Peters, p. 1 1 6
PREFACE. "^*
and, it may be added, was obliged to take
refuse in England, whither his ahcestors
had,''for the same reason, fled in 16b4. It
was there that he had leisure, durmg ijie
American war, to prepare his book lor
the press, though deprived of the assistance
which he might have derived from the pa-
pers and documents which he left behind
him in the hurry of his removal from this
country. He was afterwards elected by
the suffrages of a body of episcopalians and
sectarians to the episcopate of Vermont,
a connection however, which was never
consummated, owing to some difficulties in
obtaining his consecration at the hands ot
the English bishops. He returned agam to
this country, about the year 1800, and m
„-.1809, published in New- York his » History
of Hu-h Peters." For aught that is now
known^ie may be living at this day,to wit-
ness the triumph of what he consider-
ed as rebellion against rightful sovreignty,
and to acknowledge the truth of the senti-
ment of the bard of Avon :
.' When treason prospers, none dare call it treason."
Mr. Peters' book has certainly acquired
in this country, a reputation by no means
PREFACE.
enviable as a history; a reputation, how-
ever which was formed when the rancor
of party was still unextinguished, and be-
fore men's minds had sufficiently recovered
from the excitement of the Revolution, to
judge fairly of a work which bore upon
Its face the mark of a tory's hand. Mr.
Peters,^ in the language of his time, was a
'' torf' of the ultra stamp, and as appears
from the free and discursive style which he
adopted, evidently wrote under the influ-
ence of excited feelings. Indeed,it can hard-
ly be expected, that writing as the author
didj in a state of voluntary exile from every
thing that was dear or valuable on earth,
he should fail to mingle with his history,
something by way of justification of the
prmciples for which he had been content to
make sacrifices; and yet, there is no man
who may be said to be so little indebted
to a charitable consideration of his feel-
ings, motives, or political principles, as
the author, who has dared to publish,
what has been called a " libel on this coun-
try," simply because it is not eulogy. The
time has been, and perhaps, has not yet
gone by, when the mere mention of the
PREFACE. 23
\
work was associated with the heart-burn-
ings and jealousies of the whig and tory
factions, and seldom failed to bring down
upon the author a load of obliquy as un-
merited as it was unjust and unreasonable.
It is to be hoped, however, that the pubhc
are now prepared to lay aside old prejudi-
ces, and to judge of the work with candor
and magnanimity. It certainly contains
some facts, such as the history of Grigson's
will and some others, which cannot be gain-
said, as they have happened within the re-
collection of many persons now living ;
though there are doubtless others which
are to be taken with some grains of allow-
ance, and from which some deductions
will justly be made, on the score of certain
predilections and prejudices which the au-
thor is known to have entertained. He
probably might forgive but he could not
forget that notable tetrastic, which was
put into the mouth of his hero by the au-
thor of Mc. Fingal :
" What warnings had ye of your duty
From our old Rev'rend Sam. Auchmuty :
From priests of all degrees and metres,
To our fag-end man Parson Peters?"
24 PREFACE.
As was to be expected, therefore, he has
done himself ample justice, in his notice of
some of the ancestors of the Trumbull
family, by visiting the sins of the fathers
upon some of their hudibrastic chil-
dren. With these quahfications, howev-
er, and others which will suggest them-
selves to every one acquainted with the
history of those times; with a proper de-
gree of consideration also for the coloring
which the author would naturally give to
facts, the work may be safely considered
as entitled to credit as a veracious history.
In cases where it could be done with con-
venience, and without embarrassing the
reader, extracts have been made from works
of approved authority, and arranged in a
supplement, by way of confirming the text.
This has been thought necessary, not with a
view to obtain a character for the work which
of itself, it did not before possess, (tor it
must stand upon its own botiom,) but merely
for the sake of doing justice to the author,
by counteracting an impression which has
gone abroad unfavorable to its reputation.
HISTORY, &c.
After several unsuccessful attempts to form
settlements in the southern parts of North Ameri-
ca, in which little more had been done than giv-
ing the name Virginia, in compliment to the
virgin-queen Elizabeth, to the country, a patent
was obtained in 1606, from James I. by Sir
Thomas Gates and associates, of all lands there
between the 34th and 45th degrees of north lati-
tude : and at the patentees' own solicitation, they
were divided into two companies, commonly de-
nominated the London and Plymouth Companies;
to the former of which were granted all the lands
between the 34th and 41st degrees of north lati-
tude, and to the latter all those between the 38th
and 45th degrees. A part of the coast of the
territory last mentioned being explored in 1614,
and a chart presented to the then Prince of
Wales, afterwards Charles I. it received from him
the appellation of New England.
In the meantime, however, notwithstanding the
claim of the English in general to North America,
and the particular grant to Sir Thomas Gates and
associates, above mentioned, the Dutch got foot-
ing on Manhattan or New-York Island, pushed up
Hudson's river as high as Albany, and were begin-
3
26 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
ing to spread on its banks, when in 1614, they
were compelled by Sir Samuel Argal to acknow-
ledge themselves subjects of the King of England,
and submit to the authority of the governor of
Virginia.*
For the better enabling them to accomplish
their American undertakings, the Plymouth Com-
pany, in 1620, obtained a new patent, admitting
new members of rank and fortune. By this they
were styled " The Council, established at Ply-
mouth, for planting and governing that country
called New-England," and to them were now
granted all the lands between the 40th and 48th
degrees of north latitude, and extending east and
west from the Atlantic ocean to the south sea,
except such as were then actually possessed by
any christian prince or people. f Not long after-
wards, the patentees came to the resolution of
making a division of the country among themselves
by lot, which they did in the presence of James
I. The map of New England, etc. published by
Purchas in 1625, which is now become scarce,
and probably the only memorial extant of the re-
sult, has the following names on the following por-
tions of the coast :
Earl of Arundel ) Between the rivers St.
Sir Ferdinando Gorges > Croix and Penobscot.
Earl of Carlisle )
*Supplement, Note A. fSupplement, Note B.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
27
Lord Keeper
Sir William Belasis
Sir Robert Mansell
Earl of Holderness
Earl of Pembroke
Lord Sheffield
Sir Henry Spelraan
Sir William Apsley
Captain Love
Duke of Buckingham
Earl of Warwick
Duke of Richmond
Mr. Jennings
Dr. Sutcliffe
) Between Penobscot and
i Sagadahoc river.
Between Sagadahoc
and Charles river.
Lord Gorges
Sir Samuel Argal
Dr. Bar. Gooch
f Between Charles river
C and Narraganset.
In the above map, no names appear on the
coast north of the river St. Croix, i. e. Nova Sco-
tia, which was relinquished by the patentees in
favor of Sir William Alexander : the coast west
of Narraganset is not exhibited by Purchas, so
that it is uncertain whether the division above
mentioned extended to that or not. Probably, it
was not then sufficiently explored. However, in
1635, the patentees, from the exigency of their
affairs, thinking a surrender of their patent to the
King, with reservation of their several rights in
regard to the property of the land, an adviseable
measure, a new division of the coast was struck
' !
28 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
out, consisting of twelve lots, extending to and
comprizing land on the west side of Hudson's
river, and of course the Dutch settlements at
Manhattan. The following is an account of these
lots :
" 1. From the river St. Croix to Pemaquid,
2. From Pemaquid to Sagadahoc.
3. The land between the rivers Amarascoggin
and Kennebec.
4. From Sagadahoc along the sea-coast to
Piscataqua.
5. From Piscataqua to Naumkeak (or Salem.)
6. From Naumkeak, round the sea-coast by
Cape Cod, to Narraganset.
7. From Narraganset to the half-way bound
between that and Connecticut river, and so
fifty miles up into the country.
8. From the half-way bound to Connecticut
river, and so fifty miles into the country.
9. From Connecticut river, along the sea-coast,
to Hudson's river, and so up thirty miles.
10. From the thirty miles end to cross up forty
miles eastward.
H. From the west side of Hudson's river thir-
ty miles up the country towards the fortietli
degree, where New England beginneth.
12. From the end of the thirty miles up the
said river, northward thirty miles further,
and from thence to cross into the land forty
miles." — Hutch. Hist, of Mass. Ba^.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 29
These divisions werejimmediately on the above-
mentioned surrender, to be confirmed by the
King to the proprietors ; and proposed to be
erected into so many distinct provinces, under
one general governor of New England. It is cer-
tain that this plan u^as not then carried into exe-
cution in the whole. Several, if not all, of the
lots were formally conveyed to their respective
owners previous to the resignation of the patent.
How many were confirmed by the king, is not
known; there is positive evidence but of one —
to Sir Ferdinando Gorges.
The eighth and ninth lots nearly form the
province of Connecticut, taking its name from
the great Indian king who reigned when thcs
English made their first inroads into the country,.
But before I give an account of that event, it
may be proper to premise a few particulars con-
cerning the Dutch, already spoken of as having
seated themselves on New-York Island and the
banks of Hudson's river ; and also concerning the
settlements formed by the English in and near
the Massachusetts-Bay.
The same year which established the Council
at Plymouth, established also the Dutch West-
India Company, to whom the states of Holland
are said to have granted, the year after, all the
lands between the capes Cod and Henlopen.
Under their encouragement and support, th^
^*
30 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Dutch at New- York were induced to look upon
the act of Argal with contempt ; accordingly they
revolted from the allegiance he had imposed up-
on them, cast off the authority of their English
governor, and proceeded in their colonizing pur-
suits under one of their own nation: in which
they seem to have employed their wonted indus-
try, having, before the year 1637, erected a fort
on the spot where Hartford now stands.
A party of Briywnists, who, in 1619, are said
to have obtained a grant of land from the Vir-
giniaCompany, set sail on the 6th of September,
in the following year, for Hudson's river; but
making on the 11th of November, the harbor of
Cape Cod, instead of the plac-e of their destina-
tion, and finding themselves not in a fit condition
to put to sea again at such a late season of the
year, they ranged along the coast till a commo-
dious situation presented itself, where they dis-
embarked, and founded the colony of New Ply-
mouth.
Seven years afterwards, a party of Puritans pro-
cured a grant of the lands from Merrimack river
to the southernmost part of Massachusetts-Bay.
They made their first settlement at Naumkeak,
by them new named Salem; and a second at
Charlestown. Great numbers of the puritanic
sect followed their brethren- to New Ei:^land; so
^Ijat within a few years were laid the foundatioBj^
HI3T0RV OF eONNECTICUT. SI
©f Boston and other towns upon the Massachu
setts coast.*
Thu!i far had colinization taken place in the
neighboring country, when, in 1634, the first
part of English adventurers arrived in Connecti-
cut from England,! under the conduct of George
Fenwick, Esq ; and the Rev. Thomas Peters, and
established themselves at the mouth of the river
Connecticut, where they built a town which they
called Saybrook, a church and a fort. J
In 1G36 another party proceeded froui Boston
under the conduct of Mr. John Haynes and the
Rev. Thomas Hooker; and in June settled on
the west bank of the Connecticut river, wherei
Hartford now stands, notwithstanding the Dutch
had found their way thither before them.§
A third party of English settlers in Connecti-
cut were headed by Mr. Theophilus Eaton and
the Rev. John Davenport, who left England ear-
ly in 1637, and contrary to the advice of the people
of Massachusetts-Bay, who were very desirous of
their settling in that province, fixed themselves,
* Supplement, Note C.
fMather, Neal, HutrJiinson, and other writers of New-
England history, have uniformly deviated irom the trutji
in representing Connecticut as having heen first settled by
emigrants from their darling Massachusetts-Bay.
^Supplement' Notes Band E.
^Supplement, Notes F and G.
o2 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
in July following, on the north side of a smaFf
bay wherein the river Quinnipiack empties itself,
forty miles S. W. of Hertford, and there built
the town of New-Haven.*
Thus, within the space of three years was Con-
necticut seized upon by three distinct English
parties, in three different places, forming a trian-
gle ; — by what authority I will novv^ beg leave to
inquire.
In favor of the first, it is alleged, that they pur-
chased part of the lands belonging to the Lords
Say and Brook, which lands included the Sth
and 9th lots, nnd had been assigned to those
Lords by the Enrl of Warwick, who, about the
year 1630, obtained a grant of the same from
the Council of Plymouth, and a patent from the
K'ng; and thatFenwick was properly commission-
ed to settle and govern the colony.
Neal, Douglas, and Hutchinson, speak of this
grant and assignment with the greatest confi-
dence; but make no reference where either may
be consulted. They were very willing to believe
what they said ; and wished to palm it upon the
credulity of their readers as a fact too well es-
tablished to need proof. I shall endeavor to
shew the futility of their assertions. Indeed,
xMr. Hutchinson himself inadvertently gives rea-
♦Supplement, Note H.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT 3S
son to doubt the truth of them. Writing of the
transactions of 1G22, "The Earl of Warwick,"
says he, " we are assured, had a patent for the
Massachusetts-Bay about the same time, but the
bounds are not known." It will appear presently
that a part of the territory in question was, in
1635, granted to the Marquis of Hamilton. Now,
taking these several items together, the Council
of Plymouth are represented to have granted, not
only Massachusetts-Bay in 1622, but also, in
1630, a region of vast extent, including Connec-
ticut,to the Earl of Warwick ; and then, in 1635,
to have regranted the best part of the latter to
the Marquis of Hamilton. There is an infeasi-
bility in this supposition, that, without proof, will
deprive it of all credit among persons who have
no particular interest in the support of it.
True it is, thatFenwick and his associates were
properly authorized to settle upon lands belong-
ing to Lords Say and Brook ; but that the lands
they did settle upon were the property of the
Earl of Warwick, is not only without proof, but
against it. It seems to be generally agreed, that
the Lords Say and Brook were understood to
have a right to lands upon Connecticut river;
but that river being 500 miles long, and run-
ning through the greatest part of New-England,
the situation of their property was by no means
pointed out : whether it lay at the mouth, the
n^iiddle, or the northern end, was equally unascer-
34 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
tained. The settlers, indeed, established them-
selves at the mouth ; but without shewing their
right to the spot : they licentiously chose it.
There never has been produced any writing of
conveyance of the land in question from the
Council of Plvmouth to the Earl of Warwick, or
from the Earl of Warwick to the Lords Say and
Brook; and therefore their title to it must be
deemed not good in law. By a letter from Lord
Say to Mr. Vane, in 1635, it appears, that he
[Lord Say,] Lord Brook, and others, had thoughts
of removing to New-England, but were not de-
termined whether to join the adventurers in Bos-
ton, or to settle a new colony. — Hutch. Hist. Vol.
L p.42. If Connecticut had bi^en assigned to Lords
Say and Brook by the Earl of Warwick, as it is pre-
tended was done in 1631, it is very strange that
thoseLords should have been in doubt in ' 635 where
to fix themselves in New-England, since interest
and ambition, as well as fertility of soil, would
naturally have led them to settle in Connecticut,
where they had land of their own, and where a
settlement was already begun, and bore a very
promising appearance. Hence it seems but rea-
sonable to suppose, that, if Lords Say and Brook
were entitled to any land on Connecticut river, it
could not lie within the province of Connecticut;
and if their claims were derived from the Earl of
Warwick, it may fairly be concluded, that their
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 36
property lay much higher up the country, since
the cc*tet appropriated to the Earl of Warwick
by Purchas is that at or about Cape Ann. Lords
Say and Brook, therefore, might have a right to
send Fenwick, Peters, etc. to colonize upon the
northern parts of Connecticut river, but not south-
wardly at the mouth of it : and their neglect of
the colony at Saybrook may easily be accounted
for, by supposing that they were sensible the
settlers had fixed upon a wrong site : an idea cor-
roborated by this circumstance, that Fenwick
some years after, sold his property there for a
mere trifle, when he might have sold it dear, if
his title had been good.
But it may be asked, who were the real propri-
etors of the eighth and ninth lots?
It is asserted, that, on the Council of Pymouth's
resignation of their patent to Charles I. in 1635,
that monarch granted the latter to the Earl of
Stirling. Possibly there is not now existing any
written testimony of this grant ; yet it seems
authenticated by the sale which the Karl made, in
1639, by his agent Forrest, of the eastern part of
Long Island as appertaining to his lot, to Mr.
Howell. However, though his claim is not, per-
haps, clearly to be established, it is by no means
liable to the many objections urged against that
of Lords Say and Brook, which will in a manner
be annihilated by the additional argument I am
36 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
now going to adduce from the positive proof
there is, to whom the eighth lot really be|i|i)gs.
It stands authenticated in the office of the
Lords Commissioners of Colonies, that, in April,
1635, was conveyed to James, Marquis ot Hamil-
ton, by a deed from the Council of Plymouth, the
territory lying between Narraganset bay and
Connecticut river. — JVew-England Rec. A. p.
201. The right to the eighth lot, therefore, was
clearly vested in the Marquis ; and it only re-
mains to be shewn why his descendants are not
in possession of it, to remove every doubt upon
the matter.*
Unfortunately, in the civil broils of his time,
the Marquis engaged and died fighting under
royal banners, while the king's enemies took pos-
session of his lands in Connecticut. At the resto-
ration of Charles II. to his crown, reason taught
the children of loyal sufferers to expect a restora-
tion at least of their landed property ; and the
daughter of the Marquis of Hamilton petitioned
Charles II. to grant her relief in respect to the
land lying between Narraganset bay and Connec-
ticut river; a relief she had the more reason to hope
for, as •' her father had died fighting for his father."
But Charles hnd been too much polished in for-
eigrt courts to do any thing efifectual for his suf-
*Supplemcnt, Note I.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. $7
fering friends. Afterwards the Earl of Arran
applied to William III. for redress in regard to
the same land ; but that Earl, having acted on
the wrong side at the Revolution, could not but
expect as little from William as the friends of
Charles II. had received from him. However,
William III. ordered the Lords Commissioners of
Colonies to state his title, which they fairly did ;
and the Earl was referred to try his cause in
Connecticut — before the very people who had
his lands in possession. The governor and com-
pany of Connecticut gave a formal answer to the
claims of the Earl of Arran, setting up a title un-
der the Earl of Warwick, as is above mentioned,
who, they said, disposed of the land in dispute to
Lord Say and Seal and Lord Brook, and the
Lords Say and Brook sold the same to Fenwick,
Peters, and others. The Earl of Arran answer-
ed, that " when they produced a grant from the
Plymouth Company of those lands to the Earl of
Warwick, it should have an answer :" but the
Colony was silent ; and king William was silent
aho.— Vide Rec. New-Eng. A. p. 170—201.
Since, then, no proof of any title derived from
the Earl of Warwick could be produced by the
Governor and Company of Connecticut, when the
question of right to the country was fairly brought
into litigation, and since there is a record of the
grant of the eastern part of it to the Marquis of
Hamilton, it is evident, that the claim of the
4
38 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
present possessors under Lords Say and Brook is
not valid. The record of the Marquis of Hamil-
ton's grant is an irrefragible proof that those
Lords had no right to tfie tract between Narra-
ganset bay and Connecticut river; and thence
the conclusion is fair, that they had no right to
the tract between Connecticut and Hudson's riv-
er ; for their title to both having but one and the
same foundation, it follows of course, that what
destroys it in the former, destroys it in the latter
also.
However disputable the Earl of Stirling's claim
to the land between Hudson and Connecticut riv-
ers may be, the Duke of Hamilton is undoubtedly
the rightful owner of that between the latter and
Narraganset bay. Thus much I have proved to
shew the errors of Marther, Neal, Douglas, and
Hutchinson, who assert what the above Record
contradicts. I differ in opinion also with divines,
who say that the world grows every year worse
than it was the last. I believe the world is grow-
ing better every year; and that justice will be
administered to the Duke of Hamilton, and other
noble proprietors of lands in New-England, who
have been wickedly supplanted by the emigra-
tions of puritans, republicans, regicides, and smug-
glers. The time, I hope, is hastening, when
the records I have quoted will be considered,
and unjust possessors be ordered to give up their
possessions to the right owners ; for we have a
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 39
king who honors his crown, and prefers justice
to policy.
Hooker and Haynes, who conducted the se-
cond of the three English parties already spoken
of as making inroads into Connecticut, and who
fixed their head-quarters at Hartford, left Massa-
chusetts-Bay for the same reason they had before
left England — to avoid being persecuted, and to
acquire the power to persecute. Hooker was
learned, ambitious, and rigid. He lived near
Boston two years, in hopes of becoming a great-
er favorite with the people than the celebrated
Mr. Cotton ; but finding himself rather unlikely
to meet with the desired success, he devised the
project of flying into the wilderness of Connecti-
cut, to get a name. Accordingly, in 1635, he
applied to the General Court for leave to remove
thither, but was then refused. The next year,
however, for reasons which will hereafter appear,
he found the fanatics more compHant; and he
and Haynes obtained permission to emigrate in-
to Connecticut, carrying with them, as Mr. Neal
expresses it, " a sort of commission from the gov-
ernment of Massachusetts-Bay for the administra-
tion of justice" there. But it cannot be suppo-
sed that Hooker and his associates could derive
any title to the soil from this permission and com-
mission granted by the Massachusetts Colony,
who had not the least right to it themselves. The
emigrants not only did not entertain any such
40 HISTORY OP CONNECTICUT.
idea, but, as soon as they had discovered a situa-
tion which pleased them, they even set at nought
the commission they took with them, the profess-
ed object of which was to secure the authority
and jurisdiction claimed by the Massachusetts
over them. Knowing that they had passed the
limits of that province, they voted themselves an
independent people, and commenced despots,
pleading the old adage, Salus Populi suprema
Lex. It has never been suggested, I believe,
that this party entered Connecticut with any oth-
er semblance of authority than this ridiculous
permission and commission of the Massachusetts
dictators.*
As to the third party,, headed by Eaton and
Davenpart, they took possession, as is already
mentioned, without even pretending any pur-
chase, grant, permission, or commission, from any
one.
Of these three parties, then, it appears that
the two last had not the least shadow of original
right to the lands they possessed themselves of in
Connecticut; and the claims of the first I have
shewn to be ill founded. I will now consider
the right they are pretended to have acquired
after possession ; in regard to which they seem to
have been put upon the same footing, by a
general war between them and the Indians, oc-
^Supplement. Notes K and I^
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 41
casioned by the ambitious, oppressive and unjust
conduct of Hooker and Davenport. This war
opened a door to king-killing and king-making,
violence and injustice, in America, similar to
Vi^hat we have of late years shuddered to hear of
in Isidia. Hence the Colonies have endeavored
to e^tablish a title to the lands by purchase of the
natives; accordingly they have produced deeds
of sale signed by Sunksquaw, Uncas, Joshua,
Moodus, and others, whom Mr. Neai and Dr. Ma-
ther call Sachems, and consequently owners of
the soil. Whether those gentlemen knew, or
did not know, that Connecticut was owned by
three Sachems only, who with their wives and
families were killed by the English, and who
never would give a deed of any land to the Dutch
or English, is not material; since it is a fact, that
not one of those Indians who have signed those
famous deeds, was ever a Sachem, or aproprieter
of a single foot of land claimed by the Colony.
It is true, that Uncas (whom Mr. Neal calls a
Sachem, because the Colonists declared him King
of Mohegin, to reward hsm for deserting Sassa-
cus. Sachem of the Pequods) gave deeds of lands
that he had no right or title to ; and so did Sunk-
squaw, who, after murdering his Sachem, Quin-
nipiog, was also declared Sachem by the English
Dominion* of New-Haven » Gratitude, or pride,.
* Dominion^ in New-England, signifies a sovereign, inde-
pendent state, nncorrt reliable by any otfer earthly power.
4*
42 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
induced all those English-made Sachems to as-
sign deeds to their creators.
After the death of Uncas, his eldest son Oneko
became King of Mohegin, who refused to grant
any deeds of land to the Colony ; whereupon,
vexed at his wisdom and honor, they declared
him an incestuous son, deposed him, and pro-
claimed his natural brother Abimeleck to be Sa-
chem of the Mohegins. Oneko gave a deed of
all his lands to Mason and Harrison who were his
friends; as did Abimileck, of the same lands, to
the Colony who had made him Sachem. This
laid a foundation for a suit at law, which was
first tried before the Judges of the colony, where
Mason of course lost his suit. He appealed to
the King in Council, who ordered a special court
to sit at Norwich, in Connecticut ; and Mr. Dud-
ley, a learned man, and Governor of Massachu-
setts-Bay, was the President of it. This Court,
met, and, having heard the evidence and plead-
ings of both parties, gave a verdict in favor of Ma-
son's claim. The Colony appealed home to Eng-
land, but never prosecuted their suit to an issue.
Mason died. The Colony kept possession un-
der Abimeleck, their created King of Mohegin.
About ten years ago, the heirs of Mason and Har-
rison petitioned Government to decree that Dud-
ley's verdict should be enforced ; but the Colo-
nists found means to confound the claim of those
competitors, without establishing their own. The
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 43
truth is, neither the Colonists, nor Mason and
Harrison, ever had any deed or title to those lands
from Sassacus, or his heirs ; their deeds sprung
from Uncas, already mentioned, a rebel subject
of Sassacus, without any royal blood in his veins:
— nevertheless, Mr. Neal, and others, who have
written Histories of New-England, have taken es-
pecial care to vindicate the justice of the settlers,
who always, they say, conscientiously purchased
their lands of Sachems. — I have given the Reader
some idea of the purchases of the first colonizers
in Connecticut, who, by their iniqutous art of
makiniy Sachems, have entailed law-suits without
end on their posterity ; for there is not one foot
of land in the w hole province which is not cover-
ed by ten deeds granted by ten different nominal
Sachems to ten different persons : and, what ag-
gravates the misfortune, the Courts of justice differ
every session concerning . the true Sachem ; so
that what the plaintiff recovers at a hearing be-
fore one jury, he loses upon a re-hearing before
another.
Enough, surely, has been said to nullify the
Colonists plea for having bought their lands
of the Indians. As to any purchases made of the
Saybrook settlers, those at Hartford totally de-
clined them, till the farcical business respecting
their charter came into agitation between the
two junto's who procured it, of which I shall
speak hereafter ; and so far were the people of
44 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
New-Haven from buying any right of Fenwick or
his associates, that they scorned the idea of claim-
ing under them ; nay, it was even one of their
principal views in the machinations wherein they
were continually employed, to reduce the Say-
brook Colony under the tyranny of their own Do-
minion, as having no more title to the country
than possession gave them. And upon any other
supposition, it is impossible to account for the
neglect of the colonizers of Hartford to secure
their lands by such a purchase, seeming as they
did to ransack heaven and earth for a title satis-
factory even in their own eyes : they were con-
scious no purchase of that kind could give them
firmer f )oting than they had already. The truth
therefore, undoubtedly, is, that Fenwick and Pe-
ters had no legal right to sell the lands they oc-
cupied, whatever might be their pretensions ; —
nor, indeed, did they pretend to the power of
selling more on their own account than was
granted to them severally by their patrons the
Lords Say and Brook, which cannot be supposed
but an inconsiderable proportion of their Ameri-
can property. No wonder, then, that we find
another claim set up ; — a claim by conquest.
This was particularly agreeable to the genius of
the Hartford and New-Haven heroes ; but will,
nevertheless, appear to make as little for their
right as their honor, from the following consider-
ations : — First, the invaders did not find Connec-
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 45
ticut in a state of nature, but cultivated and set-
tled by its Indian inhabitants, whose numbers
were thousands, and who had three kings, viz.
Connecticote, Uuinnipiog, and Sassacus, of whom
Connecticote was Emperor, or King of Kings ;
a dignity he and his ancestors had enjoyed, ac-
cording to the Indian mode of reckoning, twenty
sticks;* i.e. time immemorial. Secondly, they
had no authority to invade, make war upon, and
conquer^ the Indians, who were not at war with
the King of England, nor his patentees, or their
assigns. And, Thirdly, seizures, without legal
commission, of however long standing, do not
convey right or title by the English law.
Feeling the weight of these considerations, the
Colonists have been obliged to found their claim
tp the country on their charter, which was obtain-
ed in 1662, more than twenty-six years after they
had taken possession. Here again, they are des-
titute of support ; for the King, any more than
his subjects, could not give to others the property
of the Duke of Hamilton, unless his title had been
proved to be forfeited by due course of law.
But the charter created no title ; it merely con-
*The Indian mode of counting: is from one to twenty.
Every year they cut a notch in a stick ; and when the stick
is full, or has twenty notches on it, they lay it up, and take
another. When they have thus cut twenty sticks, they
reckon no more ; — the number of twenty times twenty,
with thenij becomes infinite, or incomprehensible.
46 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
ferred on the people the authority of a legal cor-
poration, without conveying any title to the lands.
And, indeed, the prevarications of the Colonists
themselves in regard to their charter-claim, suffi-
ciently explode it. Whenever they find their
property affected by any duty, custom. &c. im-
posed by Parliament, and warranted by charter,
they allege that they got the lands in possession
by their own arm, without the aid of the King
and Parliament of Great-Britain ; as Charles II.
allowed in granting the charter, which conveyed
no title, but was founded upon the title they pos-
sessed before the date of it. At other times,
when these selfish temporizers find it convenient,
either for promoting their own, or preventing their
neighbours encroachments, then they plead their
charter as the one only thing needful to prove
their right of land even to the South Sea itself!
In short, and upon the whole. Possession, be-
gun in Usurpation, is the best title the inhabit-
ants of Connecticut ever had, or can set up, unless
they can prove they hold the lands by an heav-
enly grant, as the Israelites did those of Canaan.
This heavenly title was, indeed, set up by Peters,
Hooker, and Davenport, the three first ministers
that settled Connecticut ; and is generally be-
lieved through the Colony to this day. They
thus syllogistically stated it; — The Heathen are
driven out, and we have their lands in possession ;
they were numerous, and we hut a few ; there^
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 47
fore the Lord hath done this great wark, to give
his beloved rest.
Thus much for the various pretensions of the
occupiers of Connecticut in regaid to their right
to the soil. I shall now give some account of
the proceedings of the first settlers with re-
spect to their religious and civil establishments;
and of their political transactions, &.c.
The party which settled at Saybrook under
George Fenwick Esq. and the Rev. Thomas Pe-
ters, in 1634, contented themselves, in framing
the polity of their civil constitution, with the
laws of England, and a few local regulations.
As to their ecclesiastical institutions, they voted
themselves to be a Church independent on Lord-
bishops, and Mr. Peters to be their minister,
whose episcopal ordination was deemed good,
notwithstanding he had been silenced in England.
They voted presbyters to be bishops, and pos-
sessed of power to ordain ministers, when invited
by a proper number of people formed into a so-
ciety by a licence from the Governor. They vo-
ted that a certain part of the Liturgy of the
Church of England might be used ; the I^ord's
Prayer the Apostles' Creed, together with one
Chapter in the Bible, to be read at morning and
evening service, or omitted, at the discretion of
the Minister ; — that extempore prayers might be
used at the pleasure of the Minister; but that
the surplice should not be worn, nor should the
48 HISTORY OP CONNECTICUT.
sign of the cross at baptisms, the ceremony ol
the ring at marriages, or saints-days, &c. be ob-
served, as in the Church of England : — that every
society licensed by the Governor, after having: a
Minister ordained over it, be a complete Church,
and invested with the keys of discipline, de\ en-
ent only upon Christ, the head of his Church :
— that the Minister should be the judge of the
qualifications for church-membership^ and should
censure disorderly walkers : — that the members
in full communion should have power over the
Minister, and might dismiss him from his parish
by a majority of voices, and with the consent of
the Governor; — that all children were the objects
of Baptism, and that none should be debarred
that sacrament for the sins of their parents, pro-
vided an orderly liver would engage to bring
them up in the ways of Christianity: — that all so-
ber persons might partake of the Lord's Supper,
provided the Minister, upon examination, should
find them sufficiently acquainted with their duty :
— that what is commonly called Conversion, is
not absolutely necessary before receiving the
Lord's Supper, because that sacrament is a con-
verting ordinance ; — that all Gospel Ministers
were upon an equality in office ; and that it was
the business of every one to admonish a trans-
gressor, privately in the first place, and next, if
no attention was paid to his advice, before his
Beacons ; then, if their admonition was disregard-
HlSTOllY OF CONNECTICUT. 49
=ed,ilie oflender should be presented to the Churchy
(that is, the Minister, Deacons, and Communicants,
united by the keys of discipline,) and upon his
still continuing refractory, he should be censured
and rejected by the majority of voters, without
any appeal : — that Deacons should be chosen by
the Minister and Communicants, upon a majority
of voices, and ordained by the Minister, according
to the holy practice of St. Paul : — that it w^as the
duty of the Governor and civil Magistrates to pro-
tect and nurture the Church, but not to govern
it; because Christ's authority given to his Church
was above principalities and all civil powers : —
&,e. &c.
The settlers at Hertford, having declared them-
selves to be an independent Colony, and that
their dominion extended from sea to sea, voted
Haynes to be their Governor, and appointed six
Counsellors to assist him in framing laws and re-
gulating the state. The same spirit of indepen-
dence dictated their church-discipline. They
voted Mr. Hooker to be their Minister, and six of
their church-members to ordain him. Mr. Hook-
er accepted of their vote or call, renounced his
episcopal ordination, and was ordained by the
six lay church-members over tiie Churc!) of the
independents in Hertford. Thus Mr. Hooker,
who was born in Leicestershire, educated in Cam-
bridge, ordained by a Bishop, silenced by a Bishop
in 1630, in England, and re-ordained by six lay*
5
50 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
men in America, became what he wished to be,
the head of the independents in the Dominion of
Hertford, where he had the honor and pleasure of
exercising, over all who differed from him in opin-
ion, that violent spirit of persecution which he
and his friends so clamorously decried as too in-
tolerant to be endured in England. Some of the
characteristic doctrines of this persecuting fana-
tic were of the following purport : — That Christ's
Church is not universal, but a particular, visible
Church, formed by general consent and covenant:
— that Christ has committed the power of binding
and loosening to believers, without any distinction
between clergy and laity: — that ruling and preach-
ing elders are duly ordained to their office by the
election and the imposition of the hands of the
people : — that the tables and seals of the cove-
nant, the offices and censures of ('hrist's Church,
the administration of all his public worship and
ordinances, are in the catua Jidelium, or combi-
nation of godly, faithful men, met in one congre-
gation : — that a diocesan, provincial or national
assembly, is incompatable v.ith the nature of
Christ's Church ; seeing all and every member of
Christ's Church are to meet every Lord's-day in
one place, for the administration of the holy ordi-
nances of God : — that a multitude of free people
may elect and ordain a king over them, although
they were not, prior to that act, possessed of king-
ly power ; for the people of Israel imposed their
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 51
hands on the Levites, when they themselves were
not Levites; — Numb. viii. 10: — that nature has
given virtual power to a free people to set up any
christian form of government, both in Church and
State, which they see best for themselves in the
land ; but Christ gave the power of the keys to
his Church, i. e. to his believing people, and not
to Peter or to Paul as ministers, but as professed
believers, in conjunction with the rest of true be-
lievers ; that the Church hath not absolute power
to choose whom it will ; it hath ministerial power
only to choose whom Christ hath chosen, i. e.
such as he hath gifted and fitted for the work of
the ministry: — that neither Popes, Bishops, nor
Presbyters, are necessary to ordain Ministers of
Jesus Christ ; because the power of the keys is
given by Christ to his Church, i. e. the people in
covenant with God : — that, as ordination is in
the power of each Church, no Church hath power
over another, but all stand in brotherly equality :
— that it is unlawful for any Church of Christ to
put out of its hand that power which Christ has
siven to it, into the hands of other Churches : —
that no one Church ought to send to Ministers of
other Churches to ordain its Ministers, or to cen-
sure its offenders : — that Baptism does not make
any one a member of Christ's Church, because pa-
pists and other heretics are baptised : therefore,
to be a member of Christ's Church, is to own the
covenant of that particular Church where God
52 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
has placed such member : — that seven persoiis
may form a church of Christ, but 15,000 cannot,
because such a number cannot meet in one place,
nor hear, nor partake, nor be edified together : —
that no one can partake of the Lord's Supper, till
he be converted and has manifested his faith and
repentance before the Church : — &c. &c.*
The laws made by the Governor and Council
of Hertford are, in General, much of the same
stamp with those of the New-Haven legislators,^
of some of which an abstract will be given here-
after.
The fanatics at New-Haven, in like manner
with those of Hertford, voted themselves to be a
Dominion independent, and chose Eaton for their
Governor, and Davenport for their Minister. The
Governor and a Committee had the power of ma-
king laws for the State, and the Minister, assisted
by Deacons and Elders, was to rule the Church.
The following is a specimen of the tenets estab-
lished by Davenport in the latter: — That Christ
has conveyed all power to his people both in
Church and State ; which power they are to ex-
ercise until Christ shall return on earth, to reign
1,000 years over his militant Saints: — that all
other kings, besides Christ and his elected people,
are pestilent usurpers, and enemies to God and
Man : — that all Vicars, Rectors, Deans, Priests>
Supplement, Note M.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 63
and Bishops are of the Devil ; are wolves, petty
Popes, and antichristian tyrants :— that Pastors,
and Teachers of particular congregations are of
Christ, and must be chosen by his people ; i. e.
the elect and chosen from the foundation of the
world ; or else their entrance and ministry are un-
lawful :— that all things of human invention in the
worship of God, such as are in the Mass-book and
Common-prayer, are unsavory in the sight of
God : — that ecclesiastical censures ought to be
exercised by the members of particular Congre-
gations among themselves : — that the people
should not suffer this supreme power to be wrest-
ed out of their hands, until Christ shall begin his
reign : — that all good people ought to pray al-
ways that God would raze the old Papal founda-
tion of episcopal government, together with the
filthy ceremonies of that antichristian Church : —
that every particular who neglects this duty, may
justly fear that curse pronounced against Meroz,
— Judff . V. 23, Curse ye Meroz, because they came
not to help the Lord against the mighty enemies
of God and his Churcli -.—that every particular
Cono-reiiation is an absolute Church ; the mem-
bers of it are to be all Saints; those must enter
into covenant among themselves, and without
such covenant there can be no Church : — that it
is an heinous sin to be present when prayers are
read out of a book by a Vicar or Bishop : — that
subjects promise obedience to obtain help from
5*
54 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT.
the Magistrates, and are discharged from their
promise when the Magistrates fail in their duty:
— that, without liberty from the Prince or Magis-
trate, the people may reform the Church and
State, and must not wait for the Magistrates : —
&c. &c. This Dominion, this tyrant of tyrants,
adopted the Bible for its code of civil laws, till
others should be made more suitable to its cir-
cumstances. The provision was politic. The
lawgivers soon discovered that tiie precepts in the
Old and New Testaments were insufficient to sup-
port them in their arbitrary and bloody undertak-
ings : they, therefore, gave themselves up to their
own inventions in making others, wherein, in
some instances, they betrayed such an extreme
degree of wanton cruelty and oppression, that
even the rigid fanatics of Boston, and the mad
zealots of Hertford, put to the blush, christened
them the Blue Laws ; and the former held a day
of thanksgiving, because God, in his good provi-
dence, had stationed Eaton and Davenport so far
from them.*
The religious system established by Peters at
Saybrook was well calculated to please the mo-
derate Puritans and zealots of all denominations;
but the fanatics of the Massachusetts-Bay, who
hated every part of the Common-Prayer-book
worse than the Council of Trent and the papal
Supplement, Note N.
HISTORY OP Connecticut. 55
power exercised over heretics, were alarmed at
the conduct of the half-reformed schismatics m
that colon}'; and, thinking that their dear^baZewi
might be endangered by such im|)ure worshippers,
consented, in the year 1636, to give Mr. Hooker
and his associates liberty to emigrate to Hertford,
notwithstanding the preceding year they had
refused such liberty, seeing then no reason for
Hooker's seizing the territory of other people.
But when the New-England Vine was supposed
to be threatened by the Bible, Lord's Prayer,
and Ten Commandments, the pious people of
Massachusetts-Bay permitted Hooker, in 1635, to
remove into and govern Connecticut by their au-
thority, and to impede and break up the worship
of the Peterites in Saybrook. Hooker was faith-
ful to his trust, excepting that, when he got to
Hertford, he rejected the authority of his employ-
ers in the Massachusetts-Bay, set up a new do-
minion, and persecuted the Feterites under his
own banner, though he called it the banner of
Jesus. But for his and Davenport's tyrannical
conduct, the Colony in Saybrook would have lived
in peace with the Indians, as they did till their
artful and overbearing neighbors brought on
a general war between them and the English,
which ended with the death of Sassacus and the
destruction of all his subjects. After that war,
great dissention arose among the conquerors.
Fenwick was sensible, of a calm disposition, and
5G HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
very religious ; yet not entirely void of ambition-
He claimed the government of all Connecticut,
and insisted upon payment for such lands as were
possessed by Hooker and Davenport, and their
associates: this he said, was but common justice
due to his constituents, the Lords Say and Brook.
Hooker and Davenport, however, were not fond
of his doctrine of justice, but made religion, li-
berty, and power, the greater objects of their
concern; wherein they were supported by the
people of Massachusetts-Bay, whose spirits were
xiongenial with their own. Hence no opportuni-
ty was lost of prejudicing Saybrook ; and the
troubles in the Mother-Country furnished their
enemies with manv. One step they took, in par-
ticular, operated much to its disadvantage. The
Massachusetts' Colony, eager to act against
Charles I. agreed with those of Hertford and
New-Haven, New-Hampshire, and Rhode-Island,
to send agents to I'lngland, assuring the House of
Commons of their readiness to assist against the
King and Bishops. The Saybrook settlers,
though zealous against the Bishops, were not
much inclined to rebellion against the King, and
therefore took no part in this transaction. As the
royal cause lost ground in England, the appre-
hensions of this Colony increased ; and JFen-
wick finding himself unsupported by the Lords
Say and Brook, thought it prudent to dis-
pose of his colonial property to Peters and his as-
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 57
sociates, and return to England. Confusion be-
ing established in England, moderation became
an unpardonable sin in Saybrook, which both the
neighboring colonies were ready to punish by as-
suming the jurisdiction there : mutual jealousy
alone prevented it. At length, during Crom-
well's usurpation, the inhabitants fearing the ef-
fects of his displeasure for not joining in the
above-mentioned address to the Commons in Eng-
land especially lest he should put them under the
power of the furious Davenport, and at the
same time foreseeing no prospect of the Restora-
tion, judged it adviseable, by way of prefering
the lesser to the greater evil, to form a sort of
alliance and junction with the people of Hert-
ford, where Hooker now lay numbered with the
dead. The Colony was not only hereby enabled
to maintain its ground, but flourished greatly ;
and the Minister, Thomas Peters, established a
school in Saybrook, which his children had the
satisfaction to see become a College, denomina-
ted Yale College, of which a particular account
will be given in the course of this work. He was
a churchman of the puritanic order, zealous^
learned, and of a mild disposition; and frequent-
ly wrote to his brother Hugh at Salem,* to ex-
* William, Thomas, and Hugh Peters, were hrothers,
and born at Fowey, in Cornwall, in Old England. Their
father was a merchant of great property ; and their mother
was Elizabeth Treffry, Daughter of John Treifry, Esq. of
58 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
ercise more moderation, lest " overmuch zeal
should ruin him and the cause they were em-
barked in." At his death, which did not happen
till after the Restoration of Charles II., he be-
a very ancient and opulent family in Fowey. William was
educated at Leyden, Thomas at Oxford, and Hugh at Cam-
bridge universities. About the years 1610 and 1 620, Thom-
as and Hugh were clergymen in London, and Wilham was
a private gentleman. About 1628, Thomas and Hugh,
rendered obnoxious by their popularity and puritanism,
were silenced by the Bishop of London. They then went
to Holland, and remained there till 1633, when they return-
ed to London. The three brothers sold their landed pro-
perty, and went to New-England in 1G34. Hugh settled
at Salem, and became too popular for Mather and Cotton.
He was soon appointed one of the Trustees of the College
at New-Cambridge. He built a grand house, and purchas-
ed a large tract of land. The yard before his house he
paved with flint-stones from England ; and, having dug a
well, he paved that round with flint-stones also, for the ac-
commodation of every inhabitant in want of water. It
bears the name of Peters' Spring to this day. He married
a second wife, by whom he had one daughter named Eliza-
beth. The renown of this zealot increasing, he received an
invitation to remove from Salem to Boston, and, complying
with it, he there laid the foundation-stone of the great meet-
ing-house, of which the Rev. Dr. Samuel Cooper, one of
the most learned of the literati in America, is the present
minister. Mather and Cotton ill brooked being out-rivalled
by Hugh; yet, finding him an orthodox fanatic, and more
perfect than themselves, they seemingly bowed to his su-
periority at the same time that they laid a snare for his de-
struction. In J 64 1, those envious pastors conspired witbi
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 59
queathed his library to the school above men-
tioned.
The religious institutions of Hooker at Hert-
ford were not only binding on the Dutch, but
the Court of Boston to convert their Bishop H ugh into a
pohtician, and appoint him agent to Great Britain. The
plot succeeded ; and Hugh assumed his agency under color
of petitioning for some abatement of customs and excise ;
but his real commission was to foment the civil discontents,
jars, and wars, then prevailing between the King and Par-
liament. Hugh did not see into the policy of Mather and
Cotton ; and he had a strong inclination to chastise the
Bishops and Court, who had turned him out of the Church
for his fanatical conduct. On his arrival in London the
Parliament took him into their service. The Earls of War-
wick and Essex were also his patrons. In 1G44, the Par-
liament gave him Archbishop Laud's library ; and soon af-
ter made him head of the Archbishop's Court, and gave him
his estate and palace at Lambeth:— all which Hugh kept
till the Restoration, when he paid for his zeal, his puritan-
ism, and rebellion, on a gibbet in Charing Cross. His
daughter married a merchant in Newport, Rhode Island,
and lived and died with an excellent character. Her father
having met with so tragical an end, I omit to mention her
husband's name, whose posterity live in good reputation.
Governor Hutchinson reports that the widow of Hugh
Peters was supported, till 1671, by a collection at Salem, of
301. per annum. Were this report true, it would be much
to the reputation of Salem for having once relieved the unfor-
tunate. jMr. Hutchinson might have pointed out the cause
of the unhappy widow's necessity; but he has left that part
to me, and here it follows: — After Hugh's death, the select-
man of Salem were afraid that the King [Charles II.]
50 HIStOKY OF CONNECTJCLT.
even extended to the great Connecticote hiitiselt^^
The Sachem did not like his new neighbors; he
refused to give or sell any land to thern ; but told
them, that, as they came to trade, and to spread
would seize on his estate in Salem, as had been the case in
regard to what the Parliament had given him in England.
They therefore trumped up a debt, and seiztfi and sold the
said ^state to the families of Lyndes and Curwin, who pos-
sess it to the present time ; — and the selectmen of Salem
allowed the widow 301. per annum for the wrong they had
done her and her daughter. It is not likely that the widow
was supported by any charitable collection ; for William
Peters was a man of great property, and had a deed of the
whole peninsula whereon Boston stands, which he pur-
chased of Mr. Blaxton, who bought it of the Plymouth
Co.; though Mr. Hutchinson says Blaxton's title arose
merely from his sleeping on it the first of any Englishman.*
This was well said by Mr. Hutchinson, who wanted to justify
the people of Salem in seizing the land and expelling Mr.
Blaxton from his settlement in 1630, because he said he
liked Lords-Brethren less than Lords-Bishops. Moreover,
Thomas Peters, at the same time, was living at Saybrook
'^ The Rev. Mr. Blaxton had lived on Shawmut, or the pe-
ninsula on which Boston is built, ahoye nine years before June,
1630. when he was driven away from his possessions by the
pious people of Salem, because he was not pleased witli the
religious system of tJiose new comers. They were so generous
as to vote a small lot to Mr. Blaxton, near Boston Neck, as a
compensation for the whole peninsula, and for his banishment
on pain of death not to return. Blaxton afterwards sold his
i-ight to William Peters Esq. but who was kept out of posses-
sion of it by the supreme power of Ibe people.
History of Connecticut. GJl
ike Christian religion among his subjects, which
Mr. Hooker defined to consist only in peace, love
and justice, he had no objection to their building
wigwams, planting corn, and hunting on his lands.
and was not poor. Those two gentlemen were able and
willing to support the widow of an unfortunate brother,
whom they loved very tenderly. They took great care of
his daughter, and left her handsome legacies. From these
considerations, I am induced to beheve, that the widow of
Hugh Peters never subsisted on any contributions, except
what she received from her brotijers, Wiliiam and Thomas
Peters. Mr. Hutchinson makes a curious remark, viz. If
Hugh Peters had returned to his parish, he would not have
.-uffered as he did. He might have said with greater pro-
priety, that, if Hugh Peters had not been a fanatic and a
rebel more zealous than wise, he never would have left his
parish for the agency of the people of New-England, who
never paid liim the stipulated allowance for his support in
England, though he gave them thanksgiving days instead
of fastmg, for the space of twenty years, and procured, in
1649, from Oliver Cromwell, a charter for the Company tor
propagating the Gospel in New -England, which, by contri-
butions raised in England, have tupported all the missiona-
ries among the Indians to the present time ; yet Mr. Hutch-
inson and Neal write largely about the vast expense the
Massachusetts-Bay have been at in spreading the Gospel
among the poor savages!
I cannot forbear here to notice an abuse of tJiis charter.
Notwithstanding it confines the views of the Company to
New England, yet they, and their Committee of Correspon-
dence in Boston, have of late years vouchsafed to send most
of their Missionaries out of New-England, among the Six-
Nations, and the unsanctified episcopahans in the Southern
6
62 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
The wisdom and steady temper of this great Sa-
chem, and the vast number of rJubjects at his com-
mand, made Haynes and H^'oker cautious in their
conduct. Many people of Massachusetts-Bay,
hearing that Hooker had made good terms with
the Sachem, left their persecutors, and fled to
the fertile banks of Connecticut, that they might
help Hooker spread the Gospel among the poor
benighted Heathen in the wilderness. The Rev.
Mr. Huet, with his disciples, fixed at Windsor,
Colonies, where was a competent number of church clergy-
men. Whenever this work of supererogation has met with
its deserved animadversion, their answer has been, that,
though Cromwell limited them to New England, yet Christ
had extended their bounds from sea to sea ! With what
little reason do they complain of King William's chaiter to
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Parts? This Society have sent Missionaries to New-Eng-
land, where they have an undoubted right to send them, to
supply episcopal churches already established there; where-
as the other Society send Missionaries beyond the limits of
their charter, to alienate the minds of the episcopal Indians
of the Six Nations, against the episcopal Missionaries an^l
the Government o'' the Mother Country. And they have
been loo successful ; especially since the Rev. Dr. Eleazer
Wheelock, Dr. Whi taker, and the Rev. Mr. Sampson Oc-
com, by the Charity of England, have joined in the same
work. To the General Assembly, and the ConsocititHn of
Connecticut, Dr. Wheelock and his associates were m ich
beholden for their success in converting the poor benigi'ted
savages in the howling wilderness. Their merits are p-rcat,
and their reward is pending.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 63
eight miles north of Hertford ; and the Rev. Mr.
Smith, at Wethersfield, four miles south of it.
In the space of eighteen months, the Dominion
of Hertford contained seven-hundred white peo-
ple, and seven independent churches. Having
converted over to the Christian faith some few
Indians, among whom was Joshua, an ambitious
captain under the great Sachem Connecticote,
Hooker, Huet, Smith, and others, hereby found
means to spread the Gospel into every Indian
town, and, to the eternal infamy of christian poli-
cy, those renowned, pious fathers of this new co-
lony, with the Gospel, spread the small pcx.
This distemper raged in every corner : it swept
away the great Sachem Connecticote, and laid
waste his ancient kingdom. Hereupon, Haynes
and his assembly proclaimed Joshua, Sachem f
and such as did not acknowledge his sachemic
power, were compelled to suffer death, or fly the
Dominion. Thus in three years time, by the Gos-
pel and fanatic policy, was dostroj^ed Connecti-
cote, the greatest king in North jVmerica. This
remarkable event was considered as the work of
the Lord : and the savage nations were told that
the like calamities would befal them, unless they
embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joshua
was grateful to the English who had made him
Sachem, and gave them deeds of those lands
which had constantly been refused by Connecti-
-cote. But Joshua had as Utile honor as virtue
04 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
and loyalty : he supported himself many years
by signing deeds, and gulled the English through
their own imprudence in neglecting to make a
law for recording them. These colonists having
driven out the Heathen, and got possession of a
land which flowed with milk and honey, expelled
the Dutch as a dangerous set of heretics ; — and
Hooker, after doing so much for his new Domin-
ion, expected the homage from every Church,
which is due only to a Bishop. This homagC;
however, he could not obtain, because each Mi-
nister had pretensions not much inferior to his.
Disputes arose about Doctrine and Discipline.
Hooker taught that there were forty-two kinds of
Grace, though all of little value, except that of
" saving Grace." As to Discipline, he held, that,
as he had received his ministerial ordination from
the Laity who were members in full communion,
he considered those actual communicants as
Christ's Churxh here on earth, and consequently
as holding the keys of discipline ; and he main-
tained, that the Minister had but a single voice,
and was a subject of the Church. Other Minis-
ters, who had received episcopal ordination, but
had been silenced by their Bishops, judged them-
selves, notwithstanding, to be Ministers of Christ ;
and alleged that the installation of a Minister by
prayer and imposition of hands of lay communi-
cants, was no ordination, but a ceremony only of
putting a Minister in possession of his Church.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
65
from which he might be dismissed by a majority
of voters of the members in full communion.
And those Ministers taught for doctrine, that man-
kind were saved by Grace, and that the Gospel
told us of but one Grace as necessary to salva-
tion ; for that he who believes that Jesue is the Son
of God, is born of God, and enjoys the Grace of
God which brings Salvation. The majority of
the people of course were on the side of Mr.
Hooker, as his plan established their power over
the Minister; and they soon determined by vote,
according to their code of laws, in his favor. But
the Ministers and minority were not convinced by
this vote, and, to avoid an excommunicJition, form-
ed themselves into separate bodies ; nevertheless,
they soon felt the thundering anathemas of Hook-
er, and the heated vengeance of the civil power.
However, persecution, by her certain conse-
quence, fixed the separatists in their schism,
which continues to the present time. Hooker
reigned twelve years high priest over Hertford ;
and then died above sixty years of age, to the
great joy of the separatists, but, in point of popu-
lousness, to the disadvantage of the colony of
Saybrook, which was the little Zoar for Hooker's
heretics.
Exact in tything mint and anise, the furies of
New-Haven for once affected the weightier mat-
ters of justice. They had no title to the land :
they applied to Qumnipiog, the Sachem, for a
6*
66 HISTORY OP CONNECTICUT.
deed or grant of it. The Sachem refused to give
the lands of his ancestors to strangers. The
settlers had teeming inventions, and immediately
voted themselves to be the Children of God, and
that the wilderness in the utmost parts of the
earth was given to them. This vote became a
law forever after. It is true, Davenport endea-
vored to christianize Quinnipiog, but in vain :
however, he converted Sunksquaw, one of his
subjects, by presents and great promises; and
then Sunksquaw betrayed his master, and the
settlers killed him. This assassination of Quin-
nipiog brought on a war between the English and
Indians, which never ended by treaty of peace.
The Indians, having only bows and arrows, were
driven back into the woods ; whilst the English
with their swords and guns, kept possession of
the country. But, conscious of their want of
title to it, they voted Sunksquaw to be Sachem,
and that whoever disputed his authority should
suffer death. Sunksquaw, in return, assigned to
the English those lands of which they had made
him Sachem. Lo ! here is all the title the set-
tlers of the Dominion of New-Haven, ever obtain-
ed. The cruel and bloody persecutions under
Eaton and Davenport in New-Haven soon gave
rise to several little towns upon the sea-coast.
Emigrants from England arrived every year to
settle in this Dominion; but few remained in
New-Haven, on account of Eaton, Davenport,
the Deacons and Elders, who possessed all pow-
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.- 67
er there, and were determined to keep it. The
nevv-c mf.^rs, therefore, under pretence of spread-
ing Christ's kingdom and shunning persecution,
joined with the settlers at Stamford, Guilford,
and Stratford, where, however, persecution do-
mineered with as much fury as at New-Haven ;
for each town judged itself to be an independent
Dominion; though for fear of the Dutch and the
Indians, they formed a political union, and swore
to bear true allegiance to the capital New-Ha-
ven, whose authority was supreme. As all offi-
cers in every town were annually elected by the
freemen, and as there were many candidates,
some of whom must be unsuccessful, there was
always room for complaints. The complainants
formed schisms in the Church, which brought on
persecution ; and persecution drove the minority
to settle new towns, in order to enjoy Liberty,
Peace, and Power to persecute such as differed
from them. Thus lived those ambitious people,
under far worse persecutions from one another than
they ever experienced or complained of in Old
England ; all which they endured with some de-
gree of patience, the persecuted one year living
in hopes that the next would enable them to re-
taliate on their persecutors.
The laws made by this independent Dominion,
and denominated Blue-Laws by the neighboring
Colonies, were never suffered to be printed ; but
the following sketch of some of them will give a
68 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
tolerable idea of the spirit which pervades the
whole.
"The Governor and Magistnates convened in
general Assembly, are the supreme power under
God of this independent Dominion.
" From the determination of the Assembly no
appeal shall be made.
" The Governor is amenable to the voice of
the people.
" The Governor shall have only a single vote
in determining any question ; except a casting
vote, when the Assembly may be equally divided.
" The Assembly of the People shall not be dis-
missed by the Governor, but shall dismiss itself.
"Conspiracy against this Dominion shall be
punished wnth death.
" Whoever says there is power and jurisdiction
above and over this Dominion, shall sutfer death
and loss of property.
" Whoever attempts to change or overturn this
Dominion shall suffer death.
"The judges shall determine controversies
without a jury.
" No one shall be a freeman, or give a vote,
unlf^ss he be converted, and a member in full
communion of one of the Churches allowed in
this Dominion.
"No man shall hold any office, who is not
sound in the faith, and faithful to this Dominion;-
and whoever gives a vole to such a person, shall
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 69
pay a fine of il.; for a second oiTence, he shall
be flisfranchised.
"Each freeman sljall swear by the blessed
God to bear true allegiance to this Dominion,
and that Jesus is- the only King. ^
"No quaker or dissenter from thn established
worship of this Dominion shall be allowed to
give a vote for the election of Magistrates, or any
officer.
"No food or lodging shall be aiforded to a
Quaker, Adamite, or other Heretic.
"If any person turns Quaker, he shall be
banished, and not suffered to return but upon
pain of death.
" No Priest shall abide in this Dominion : he
shall be banished, and suffer death on his return.
Priests may be seized by any one without a war-
rant.
" No one to cross a river, but with an authori-
ized ferryman.
"No one shall run on the Sabbath day, or walk
in his garden or elsewhere, except reverently to
and from meeting.
" No one shall travel, cook victuals, make
beds, sweep house, cut hair, or shave, on the Sab-
bath day.
"No woman shall kiss her child on the Sab-
bath or fasting-day.
"The Sabbath shall begin at sunset on Satur-
day.
70 HISTORY dr CONNECTICUT.
" To pick an ear of corn growing in a neigh-
bor's garden, shall be deemed theft.
" A person accused of trespass in the night
shall be judged guilty, unless he clear himself by
his oath.
" When it appears that an accused has con-
federates, and he refuses to discover them, he
may be racked.
" No one shall buy or sell lands without per-
mission of the selectmen.
" A drunkard shall have a master appointed by
the selectmen, who are to debar him from the li-
berty of buying and selHng.
" Whoever puhlisht . a lie to the prejudice of
his neighbor, shall sit in the stocks, or be whip-
ped fifteen stri pes.
" No Minister shall keep a school.
" Every rateable person, who refuses to pay his
proportion to the support of the Minister of the
town or parish shall be fined by the Court 21. and
41. every quarter, until he or she pay the rate to
the Minister.
" Men-stealers shall suffer death.
" Whoever wears clothes trimmed with gold,
silver, or bone lace, above two shillings by the
yard, shall be presented by the grand jurors, and
the selectmen shall tax the offender at 300J.
estate.
" A debtor in prison, swearing he has no estate^
.shall be let out, and sold, to make satisfaction.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICtfT. 7t
" Whoever sets a fire in the woods, and it burns
a house, shall suffer death ; and persons suspected
of this crime shall be imprisoned, without benefit
of bail.
" Whoever brings cards or dice into this domin-
ion shall pay a fine of 5/.
" No one shall read Common-Prayer, keep
Christmas or Saints-days, make minced pies,
dance, play cards, or play on any instrument of
music, except the drum, trumpet, and jews-harp.*
" No gospel Minister shall join people in mar-
riage ; the magistrates only shall join in marriage,
as they may do it with less scandal to Christ's
Church. f
''When parents refuse their children convenient
marriages, the Magistrates shall determine the
point.
" The selectmen, on finding children ignorant,
•may take them away from their parents, and put
them into better hands, at the expense of their
parents,
" Fornication shall be punished by compelling
marriage, or as the Court may think proper.
"Adultery shall be punished with death.
" A man that strikes his wife shall pay a fine of
* Supplement, Note O.
f The savage Pawawwers, or Priests, never concern
themselves with marriages, but leave them to the Paniesh
or Magistrates.
72 HISTORY OF CONNECTICLT.
10/. ; a woman that strikes her husband shall be
punish>ed as the Court directs.
" A wife shall be deemed good evidence against
her husband.
" No man shall court a maid in person, or by
letter, without first obtaining consent of her pa-
rentfj: 5/. penalty for the first oflence ; iO/. for
the second; and, for the third, imprisonment du-
ring the pleasure of the Court.
"Married persons must live together, or be im-
prisoned.
" Every male shall have his hair cut round ac-
cording to a cap. ''^
Of such sort were the laws made by the people
of New-Haven, previous to their incorporation
with Saybrook and Hertford colonies by the char-
ter. They consist of a vast multitude, and were
properly termed the Blue Laws; i. e. Bloody
Laws; for they were all sanctified v.ith e.xcomu-
nication, confiscation, fines, banshments whip-
pings, cutting oif the ears, burning the tongue,
and death. Europe at this day night well say
the Religion of the first settlers at New-Haven
was fanaticism turned mad ; and did not similar
laws still prevail over New- England as the com-
mon law of the country, I would have It ft t!i in in
silence along with Dr Mather's Fatres amscriptif
*The Levitical law forbids cutting- thf liair, or roandin<v
the bead.
HISTORY OF COWECTiCLT. 73
and the renowned Saints of Mr. Neal, to sleep to
the end of time. No one, but a partial and blind
bigot, can pretend to say the projectors of them
were men of Grace, Justice, and Liberty, when
nothing but murders, plunders, and persecutions^
mark their steps. The best apology that can be
made for them is, (1 write in reference to those
times,) that human nature is everywhere the same ;
and that the mitred Lord and canting Puritan are
equally dangerous, or that both agree in the un-
christian doctrine of persecution, and contend
only which shall put it in practice. Mr. Neal
says, many call the first Colonizers in New-Eng-
land weak men for separating from the Church of
England, and suffering persecutions, rather than
comply with indifferent ceremonies ; and after as-
serting that they were men of great learning and
goodness, be appeals to the world to judge,
which were weak, the Bishops or the Puritans ?
My answer is, that those Puritans were weak men
in Old England, and strong in New-England,
where they out-pop'd the Popu, out-king'd the
King, and out-bishop'd tlie Bishops. Their mur-
ders and persecutions prove their strength lay in
weakness, and their religion in ambition, v^^eaith,
and dominion.
Notwithstanding the perpetual jealousy and
discordance between the tliree colonies of Con-
necticut, (Saybrook claiming the whole under tiie
Lords Say and Brook, Hertford under Jehovah
74 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
and Conquest, and New-Haven under King Jesus
and Conquest,) they judged it necessary, for their
better security against the Dutch and Indians, to
strengthen each other's hands by forming a gene-
ral confederacy with the Colonies of New Ply-
mouth and the Massachusetts-Bay. A measure
of this kind, which they formally entered into in
1643, proved of the most salutary consequence,
in a war which many years after l)roke out be-
tween them and Philip, sachem of the Pokanoket
Indians, and which, for some time, imminently
endaniijered the Colonies, but at length termina-
ted in the destruction of that noted warrior and
his followers.
The death of Cromwell in 1658 struck an awe
throughout all New England, Hertford and New-
Haven appointed their days of fasting and prayer.
Davenport prayed " the Lord to take the New-
England Vine under his immediate care, as he
had removed by death the great Protector of the
proiestnnf liberty:" nevertlieless he lived to see
the time when Charles II. obtained the possession
of hi'^ Father's crown and kingdom, in spite of
all his prayers. However, in the midst of sor-
rows, they were comforted by the presence of
many regicides and refugees, who fled from Eng-
land not so much for religion as for liberty ;
among whom were Whaley, Goffe, and Dixwell,^
* Dixv:ell died and lies buried in New-Haven. His grave
is visited bv the sober dissprue)-},- with great reverence and
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 75
three of the judges and murderers of Charles I.
Davenport and Leet the then Governor received
them as angels from Heaven, and blessed God
that they had escaped out of the hands of "Herod
the son of Barabbas.*"
New-Haven Dominion being thus suddenly fill-
ed with inhabitants, saw itself enabled to support
its independence, and as usual despised Hertford
and Saybrook, and withal paid no attention to the
King and Parliament of England. The people of
Massachusetts, who were ever forward in pro-
moting their own consequence, observing the
temper and conduct of those of New-Haven, con-
ceived an idea at once of exalting an individual
of their own province, and of attaching Hertford
and Saybrook to their interest forever. They
sent Mr. John Winthrop privately to Hertford, to
promote a petition to Charles H. for a charter, as
a security against the ambition of New-Haven.
The Bostonians boasted of having had the honor
of settling Hertford, which they therefore profess-
ed to consider in the light of a near and dear con-
nection. The proposal was accepted by the few
persons to whom it was communicated, but, in
framing their petition, they found themselves de-
veneration ; nay, even held sacred as the tomb of Mecca.
Here are buried also the children of Col. Jones, and many
other rebels.
* Supplement, Note P.
76 HISTORY OF CONNECTICLT.
flcient in their title to the lands. This obliged
them to have recourse to a Junto at Saybrook,
who claimed a title under Lords Say and Brook.
A few purchases or rather exchanges, of land now
took place between the Junto's ; after which the
petition was drawn up, containing an artful de-
scription of the lands claimed, "part of which
they said they had purchased, and part they had
conquered." They then as privately appointed
Mr. Winthrop their agent to negotiate the busi-
ness in England, which he very willingly under-
took. On his arrival here, he applied to the
agents of Massachusetts-Bay, and with their as-
sistance procured from the incaution of Charles
II. as ample a charter as was ever given to a pa-
latinate state ; it covered not only Saybrook,
Hertford, and New-Haven, but half of New-York,
New-Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and a tract of
land near 100 miles wide, and extending west-
ward to the South sea, 1,400 miles from Narra-
ganset bay. This charter, which was obtained
in 1662, well pleased the people of Hertford, be-
cause it coincided with their former vote, viz.
" that their Dominion extended from sea to sea."*
New-Haven dominion too late discovered the in-
trigues of her artful neighbors ; and, after two
years opposition, submitted to the charter purely
oqt of fear lest some of her ministers and magis-
'■^- Supplement, Note Q.
HrSTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 77
trates should suffer ignominious deaths for aiding
in the murder of their King.*
To the great joy of the people of Boston and
Saybrook, Mr. Winthrop was appointed by the
charter, Governor of all Connecticut. Their joy,
however, sprung from different motives: Say-
brook hoped for effectual protection from the in-
suits of Hertford and the persecutions of New-
Haven ; and Boston expected to govern the Go-
vernor.
Mr. Winthrop settled at New-London, in the
kingdom of Sassacus, or colony of Saybrook,
where he purchased lands of the claimants under
Lords Say and Brook. Wisdom and moderation
guided Mr. Winthrop. He was annually elected
Governor till his death, which happened in 1676.
Whether it were owing to the discovery of any
defect in the title of the people of Connecticut
to the soil, or of any undue arts practised in ob-
taining their charter, or whether it must be con-
sidered as an instance of Charles' fickle or arbi-
trary disposition, that Monarch, in the short space
of two years after granting that charter, com-
prised half Connecticut in another grant to his
brother the Duke of York of the territory between
the Rivers Connecticut and Delaware, called by
the Dutch New-Netherlands. This step excUed
much discontent in Connecticut, especially when
* Supplement, Notes R and S,
78 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
an actual defalcation of its territory was discov-
ered to be in agitation, after Colonel Nichols had
succeeded in an enterprise he was sent upon
against the Dutch at New-York. Commissioners
were sent thither from Connecticut, the latter
end of 1664, to defend the interests of the Colo-
ny; but, notwithstanding all the opposition they
could make, they were constrained to yield up
the whole of Long Island, and a strip of land on
the east side of Hudson's river. This dismember-
ment is not easily to be justified : but, probably,
finding it necessary to the performance of a pro-
mise he had made the Dutch of the enjoyment of
their possessions, Nichols might think himself at
liberty of insisting upon it, furnished as he was
with almost regal powers as the Duke of York's.
deputy. In that capacity, he assumed the gov-
ernment of the conquered territory, but does not
appear to have intermeddled further with that of
Connecticut.
With Colonel Nichols were associated three
other gentlemen, in a commission, empowering
them to inquire into the state of the New-Eng-
land provinces, to hear and redress complaints,
settle differences, and check abuses of power:
but the ill humor and obstinacy of those of Con-
necticut and Massachusetts Bay, in a great mea-
sure frustrated their endeavors.
By authority of the charter, the freemen choose
annually, in May, a Governor, a Deputy-Gover-
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 7^
nor, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and twelve Assis-
tants, and, twice a year, two Representatives from
each town. These being met, constitute the Ge-
neral Assembly, which has power to make laws,
provided they are not repugnant to the laws of
England, and enforce them without the consent
of the King.
The General Assembly meets in May and Oc-
tober without summoning. By it the colony has
been divided into six counties, viz. Hertford, New-
Haven, Nev/-London, Fairfield, Windham, and
Litchfield; and these subdivided into 73 town-
ships, and 300 parishes.
Each town has two or more justices of peace,
who hear and determine, without a jury, all causes
under ^2.1.
Each county has five judges, who try by a jury
all causes above 21.
Five judges preside over the superior court of
the province, who hold two sessions in each coun-
ty every year. To this court are brought appeals
from the county courts when the verdict exceeds
iO/., appeals from the courts of probate, writs of
error, petitions for divorce, &c.
The General Assembly is a court of chancery,
where the error or rigor of the judgments of the
superior court are corrected.
The General Assembly, and not the Governor,
has the power of life and death.
The courts of probate are managed by a jus-
80 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
lice of peace, appointed by the General Assem-
bly.
Each county has its Sheriff, and each town its
constables.
By charter the Governor is Captain-general of
the militia. Fourteen Colonels, fourteen Lieu-
tenant-colonels, and fourteen Majors, are appoint-
ed by the General Assembly. The Captains and
Subalterns are elected by the people, and com-
missioned by the Governor.
The ecclesiastical courts in Connecticut are,
1. The Minister and his Communicants : 2. The
Association, which is composed of every minister
and deacon in the county : 3. The Consociation,
which consists of four ministers and their deacons,
chosen from each Association ; and always meets
in May, at Hertford, with the General Assembly.
An appeal from the Consociation will lie before
the General Assembly ; but the clergy have al-
ways been against it, though with less success
than they wislied. The General Assembly de-
clared " Sober Dissenters" to be the established
religion of the province.
The laws of the colony enacted by the autho-
rity of the charter, are decent in comparison with
the Blue Laws. They make one thin volume m
folio. Yet exceptions may justly be made to
many of them — equal liberty is not given to all
parties — taxes are unfairly laid — the poor are op-
pressed. One law is intolerable, viz. When a
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. &t
trespass is committed in the night, the injured
person may recover damages of any one he shall
think proper to accuse, unless the accused can
prove an alibi, or will clear himself by an oath ;
which oath, nevertheless, it is at the option of the
justice, either to administer or refuse. Q,ueen
Ann repealed the cruel laws respecting Quakers,
Ranters, and Adamites ; but the General Assem-
bly, notwithstanding, continued the same in their
lau^-book, maintaining that a law made in Con-
necticut could not be repealed by any authority
but their own. It is a ruled case with them, that
no law or statute of England be in force in Con-
necticut, till formally passed by the General As-
sembly, and recorded by the Secretary.* Above
thirty years ago, a negro castrated his master's
son, and was brought to trial for it before the sur
perior court at Hertford. The Court could find
no law to punish the negro. The lawyers quoted
the English statute against maiming ; the Court
were of opinion that statute did not reach this
colony, because it had not been passed in the Ge-
neral Assembly ; and therefore were about to re-
mand the negro to prison till the General Assem-
bly should meet. But an ex-post facto law was
objected to as an infringement on civil liberty.
At length, however, the Court were released from
their difficulty, by having recourse to the vote of
giapplement, Note T,
S2 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
the first settlers at New-Haven, viz. That the Bi-
ble should be their law, till they could make oth-
ers more suitable to their circumstances. The
Court were of opinion that vote was in full force,
as it had not been revoked; and thereupon tried
the negro upon the Jewish law,. viz. eye for eye,
and tooth for tooth. He suffered accordingly.
The idea fostered by the colony of indepen-
dence on (ireat Britain, was not, as might be ima-
gined, destroyed by the royal charter, but, on the
contrary, was renewed and invigorated by it. In-
deed, the charter is as much in favor of Connecti-
cut, and unfavorable to England, a» if it had
been drawn up in Boston or New-Haven. Had
it been granted jointly by the King, Lords, and
Commons, and not by the King solus, no one
could dispute the independence of Connecticut
on England, any more than they could that of
Holland on Spain. The people at large did not
discriminate between an act of the King solus,
and an act of the King, Lords, and Commons,
conjointly ; and, to prevent any one from shewing
the difference, the General Assembly made a law,
that " whoever should attempt to destroy the con-
stitution of this colony as by charter established,
should suffer death." The power of a British
King was held up by them much higher than the
constitution allowed. The King had authority,
they said, to form palatinate states without con-
sent of Parliament. Accustomed to doctrines of
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. S3
this tendency, the multitude concluded the Gene-
ral Assembly of Connecticut to be equal to the
British Parliament.
Notions of this kind did not prevail in Connecti-
cut alone; Massachusetts-Bay still more^ abound-
ed with them, and Rhode Island was not unin-
fected. What was the consequence? Complaints
against those governments poured into the British
court. A reformation, tlierefore, became indis-
pensable in New-England, and was begun by a
disfranchisement of the Massachusetts province.
The death of Charles II. put a temporary stop to
proceedings against the other colonies ; but James
II. soon found it expedient to remove them. In
July, 1685, the following instances of mal-admin-
istration were formally exhibited against the Go-
vernor and Company of Connecticut, viz. "They
have made laws contrary to the laws of England :
— they impose fines upon the inhabitants, and con-
vert them to their own use : — they enforce an
oath of fidelity upon the inhabitants without ad-
ministering the oath of supremacy and allegiance,
as in their charter is directed : — they deny to
the inhabitants the exercise of the religion of the
church of England, arbitrarily fining those who
refuse to come to their congregational assemblies :
— his majesty's subjects inhabiting there, cannot
obtain justice in the courts of that colony : — they
discourage and exclude from the government all
gentlemen of known loyalty, and keep it in the
84 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
hands of the independent party in the colony.''
(Aew-Eng. Ent. vol. ii. p. 241.) In conse-
t]uence of this impeachment, James II ordered a
i^uo ffarranto to be issued against the charter of
Connecticut. The people perceived that the
King was in earnest ; and their alarm manifested
itself in humble solicitations for favor; but, it
being thought adviseable, on several accounts,
particularly the extensive progress the French were
making in Canada, to appoint one general Go-
vernor over New-England, the submissive appli-
cations of the Connecticut colonists could no fur-
ther be regarded than in allowing them their
choice, whether to be annexevi to New-York, or
to Massachusetts. They preferred the latter ;
and, accordingly, Sir Edmund Aisdr s hat ng
been appointed Captain-general over all New-
Enirland, the charter oi^ Connecticut was surren-
dered to him. It is very remarkable that Messrs.
Neal, Hutchinson, and otjjer historians of New-
Enjiland, have artfully passed over in silence this
transaction of the surrender of Connecticut char-
ter to Sir Edmund Andros, the General Governor
over New-EiUgland. T'ley have represented the
magistrates of t.'onnecticut as not having resigned
their charter, but by an erroneous construction
i)ut on their humble su].>plication to James II. by
the Court of London ; whereas the fact is, they
resigned it, in propria forma, into the hands of
Sir Edmund Andros, at Hertford^ in October,
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 85
1687, and were annexed to the Massachusetts-Bay
colony, in preference to New- York, according to
royal promise and their own petition.* But the
very night of the surrender of it, Samuel Wads^
worth, of Hertford, with the assistance of a mob,
violently broke into the apartments of Sir Ed-
mund, regained, carried off, and hid the charter
in the hollow of an elm ; and, in 1689, news ar-
riving of an insurrection and overthrow of Andros
at Boston, Robert Treat, who had been elected in
1687, was declared by the mob still to be Gover-
nor of Connecticut. He daringly summoned his
old Assembly, who, being convened, voted the
charter to be valid in law, and that it could not
be vacated by any power, without the consent of
the General Assembly. f They then voted, that
Samuel Wadsworth should bring forth the char-
ter; which he did in a solemn procession, attend-
ed by the High-sheriff, and delivered it to the
Governor. The General Assembly voted their
thanks to Wadsworth, and twenty shillings as a
reward for stealing and hiding their charter in the
elm. Thus Connecticut started from a depen-
dent county into an independent province, in de-
fiance of the authority that had lately been paid
such humble submission. None should be sur-
prised to find the people shewing more deference
to Abimeleck King of Mohegin, than to George
* Supplement, Note U. f Supplement, Note V.
8
86 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
King of England ; since a vote of men, whose Ic*
gislative, and even corporate capacity had been
annihilated, has prevailed, for more than eighty
years, over a just exertion of royal prerogative.*
Nevertheless, this unconstitutional Assembly,
vt^hose authority under an assumed charter has
been tacitly acknow^ledged by the British Parlia-
ment, have not at all times been unchecked by
the Corporation of Yale College. That College,
by a charter received from this self-erected Go-
vernment, was enabled to give Bachelor's and
Master's degrees ; but the Corporation have pre-
sumed to gi\e Doctor's degrees. When the Ge
neral Assembly accused them of usurping a pri-
vilege not conferred by their charter, they retort-
ed, that " to usurp upon a charter, was not so bad
as to usurp a vacated charter." The General
Assembly were obliged to be content with this
answer, as it contained much truth, and came
from the clergy, whose ambition and power are
not to be trifled with.
Whatever might be the reason of the English
Government's winking at the contempt shewn to
their authority by the people of Connecticut, it
certainly added to their ingratitude and bias to
Usurpation. Having been in possession of that
country one hundred and forty years, the General
Assembly, though unsupported either by law or
* Supplement;, Note W
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 87
justice, resolved to take up and settle their lands
west not only of Hudson but Susquehanna river,and
extending to the South-Sea. In pursuance of this
resolution, they with modesty passed over New-
York and the Jerseys, because they are possessed
by Mynheers and fighting christians, and seized
on Pennsylvania, claimed by Quakers, who fight
not either for wife or daughter. They filled up
their fathers' iniquities, by murdering the Qua-
kers and Indians, and taking possession of their
lands ; and no doubt, in another century, they
will produce deeds of sale from Sunksquaw, Un
cas, or some other suppositious Sachem. This
is a striking instance of the use I have said the
colony sometimes make of their charter, to coun-
tenance and support their adventurous spirit of
enterprise. Tliey plead that their charter bounds
them on the west by the South Sea; but they
seem to have forgotten that their charter was sur-
reptitiously obtained ; and that the clause on
which they dwell is rendered nugatory, by the pe-
titioners having described their lands as lying
upon Connecticut river, and obtained partly by
conquest. Now, it being a fact beyond all con-
troversy, that they then had not conquered, nor
even pretended to have purchased, any lands
west of Hudson's River, it is evident that their
westernmost boundary never did or ought to ex-
tend further than to that river. Not that Mr. Penn
had any just title to the lands on Susquehanna
88 HISTORY OF eoNNECTlCUT.
river which are the bone of contention, and whicfi
lie north of his patent: they belong to the assigns
of the Plymouth Company, or to the Crown of
England.
Republicanism, schims, and persecutions, have
ever prevailed in this Colony. — The religion of
" Sober Dissenters^- having been established by
the General Assembly, each sect claimed the es-
tablishment in its favor. The true Independents
denied that the Assembly had any further power
over Christ's Church than to protect it. Few
Magistrates of any religion are willing to yield
their authority to Ecclesiastics; and few disci-
ples of Luther or Calvin are willing to obey
either civil or spiritual masters. In a Colony
where the people are thus disposed, dominion
will be religion, and faction conscience. Hence
arose contentions between the Assembly and In-
dependents ; and both parties having been
brought up under Cromwell, their battles were
well fought. The independent Ministers published
from their pulpits, that the Assembly played ofi^
one sect against another; and that Civilians were
equal enemies to all parties, and acted more
for their own interest than the Glory of God.
Those spiritual warriors, by their associations,
fasting and prayers, voted themselves the " Sober
Dissenters ^^^ and got the better of the General As-
sembly. Indeed, none disputed their vote with
impunity. Whenever a Governor manifested an
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. S9
inclination to govern Christ's Ministers, Christ's
Ministers were sure to instruct the freemen not
to re-elect him. The Magistrates declared they
had rather be under Lords-Bishops, than Lords-
Associations. A Governor was appointed, who
determined to reduce Christ's Ministers under the
Civil Power; and, accordingly, the Assembly
sent their Sheriff to bring before them certciin
leading men among the Ministers, of whom they
banished some, silenced others, and fined many,
for preaching sedition. The Ministers told the
Assembly, that curst cows had short horns; and
that "they were Priests forever after the order of
Melchisedecy However, like good christians,
they submitted to the sentence of the Assembly ;
went home, fasted, and prayed, until the Lord
pointed out a perfect cure for all their sufferings.
On the day of election, they told the freemen that
the Lord's cause required a man of Grace to
stand at the head of the Colony, and with sure con-
fidence recommended the Moderator of the As-
sociation to be thei'T Governor; and the Modera-
tor was chosen. This event greatly inflamed the
lay-magistrates, who were further mortified to see
Mmisters among the Representives ; whereupon
they cried out, " This is a presbyterian popedom."
Now magistrates joined with other Churches
which they had long persecuted; and the Con-
necticut Vine was rent more and more every day.
The Ministers kept the power, but not always the
8^
90 HISTORY OF CONNECTICtJT,
office of the Governor, whilst the weaker partf
paid the cost. One party was called Old Lights
the other New Light : both aimed at power un-
der pretence of religion ; whichever got the pow-
er, the other was persecuted. By this happy
quarrel, the various sectarians were freed from
their persecutions ; because each contending par-
ty courted their votes and interest, to help to pull
down its adversary. This has been the re-
ligious-political free system and practice of Con-
necticut since 1662.
In speaking of the religious phrensies and per-
secutions in Connecticut, under the sanction of
the charter, I must notice the words of an eminent
Quaker, who, as a blasphemer, had been whip-
ped, branded, burnt in the tongue, set on the gal-
lows, banished, and, upon return, sentenced to be
hanged. "Dost thee not think," said he to his
Judges, " that the Jews, who crucified the Savior
of the world, had a Charter V^
Many have been the disputes between Con--
necticut and the neighboring colonies concerning
their several boundaries, and much blood has been
spilt on those occasions. On the north and east,
where lie the Massachusetts and Rhode Island,
Connecticut has, in some degree, been the gain-
er; but has lost considerably on the west and
south, to the engendering violent animosity
against the loyal New-Yorkers, to whom it will;
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 91
probably prove fatal in the end. The detail is
briefly as follows :
The Dutch settlers on New-York Island, Hud-
son's river, and the west end of Long Island,
being subdued by Colonel Nichols in September,
1664, the royal Commissioners, after hearing the
Deputies from Connecticut in support of the
charter granted to that province against the Duke
of York's patent, ordered, in December following,
that Long Island should be annexed to the gov-
ernment of New-York, and that the West boun-
dary of Connecticut should be a line drawn from
the mouth of Mamaroneck river, N. N. W. to
the line of the Massachusetts. This settlement,
although it infringed their charter, was peacea-
bly acquiesced in by the people of Connecticut .'
and not complained of by those of New-York till
1683, when they set up a claim founded on a
Dutch grant, said to have been made in 1621, of
all the lands from Cape Cod to Cape Henlopen.
In furtherance of their pretensions, they had re-
course to invasion and slander. Of the latter Mr.
Smith has given a specimen in his History of
New-York, where he says that the agreement in
1664 "was founded in ignorance and fraud ;'^
because, forsooth, "a N. N. W. line from Mama-
roneck would soon intersect Hudson's river !"
Could any one of common sense suppose the
Dutch on the banks of Hudson's river, who no
doubt were consulted upon the occasion, less ac-
92 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
quainted with the course of it, than persons resi*
ding on the banks of the Connecticut? Extraor-
dinarily absurd as such an insinuation might be,
the people of Connecticut were aware of its pro-
bable weight with the Duke of York, whose pa-
tent grasped half of their country ; and therefore,
knowing by whom a contest must be decided,
they consented to give up twenty miles of their
land east of Hudson's river, hoping that would
content a company of time-serving Jacobites and
artful Dutchmen. But neither were they nor
their Patron satisfied ; and the agreement was
suspended till 1700, when it was confirmed by
William III. About twenty years afterwards,
however, the New-Yorkers thought the times fa-
vorable to further encroachments ; and at length,
in 1731, they gained 60,000 acres more, called
the Oblong, from Connecticut, purely because
they had Dutch consciences, and for once report-
ed in England what was true, that the New-Eng-
Jand colonists hated kings, whether natives or
foreigners. Mr. Smith, indeed, p. 238, says, re-
ferring to Douglas'* Plan of the British Dominions
*Mr. Douglas was a naturalist, and a physician of con-
siderable eminence in Boston, where he never attended any
religious worship, having been educated in Scotland with
such rancorous hatred against episcopacy^ tltat with his
age, it ripened into open scepticism and deism. However,
his many severities against the Episcopahans, New-Lights,
and Quakers, procured him a good name among the Old-
HISTORY OF CONNECflCUT, QB
©t' New-England in support of his assertion, that
'' Connecticut ceded these sixty thousand acres
to New- York, as an equivalent for lands near the
Sound surrendered to Connecticut by New-York."
Mr. Smith, and all the New-York cabal, know,
that there never were any lands in the possession
of the New-Yorkers, surrendered to Connecticut :
on the contrary, Connecticut was forced, by the
partiality of sovereigns, to give up, not only Long
Island and the above-mentioned twenty miles
east of Hudson's river, but also the Oblong, with-
out any equivalent. How New-York could sur-
render lands and tenements which they never had
any right to, or possession of, is only to be ex-
plained thus ; whereas the people of New- York
did not extend their eastern boundary to Con-
necticut river, they therefore surrendered to Con-
necticut what they never had ; which is like a
highwayman's saying to a gentleman, give me
ten guineas, and I will surrender to you your
watch in your pocket.
Thus by degrees has Connecticut lost a tract
of land sixty miles in length, and above twenty
Lights, and the mongrel christians of New- York, whose
policy and self-interest have always domineered over con-
science and morality. For these reasons, his brother Smith,
in his History of New- York, frequently quotes him to prove
his futile assertions against New-England, New-Jersey and
Pennsvlvania.
34 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
in breadth, together with the whole of Long Isl-
and ; and this in the first place by a stretch of
royal prerogative, and afterwards by the chicane-
ry of their competitors, who have broken through
all agreements as often as a temporising conduct
seemed to promise them success. Whenever,
therefore, a favorable opportunity presents itself,
there is no doubt, but Messrs. Smith and Livings-
ton, and other pateroons in New-York, will find
the last determination also to have been " found-
ed in ignorance and fraud," and will be pushing
their claim to all the lands west of Connecticut
river ; but the opportunity must be favorable in-
deed, that allows them to encroach one foot far-
ther vvith impunity.
Another stroke the people of Connecticut re-
reived about 1753 has sorely galled them ever
since, and contributed not a little to their thirst
of revenge. The Governor of New- York was
then appointed "Captain-General and Comman-
der in Chief of the militia, and all the forces by
sea and land, within the colony of Connecticut,
and of all the forts and places of strength within
the same." This violation of the charter of Con-
necticut by George IL was very extraordinary,
as the reins of government were then in the hands
of protestant dissenters, whose supposed venera-
tion for the House of Hanover operated so pow-
erfully, that the American protestant dissenting
ministers were allowed to be installed teachers^
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT* 95
and to hold synods, without taking the oath of
allegiance to the English King, at the Same time
that papists, and even members of the Church of
England, were not excused that obligatiori. The
aggravating appointment above mentioncned ad-
ded no celebrity to the name of George II. in
New-England ; nor, however excusable it may
appear in the eyes of those who with me question
the colonial pretensions of the people of Connecti-
icutjwas it, upon the ground they have been allow-
ed to stand by the English government, justifiable
in point of right, nor yet in point of poLcy, were
the true character of the New-Yorkers fully
known. This argument may be used on more
occasions than the present.
But Connecticut hath not been the only suffer-
er from the restless ambition of New-York.
Twenty miles depth of land belonging to the
Massachusetts and New-Hampshire provinces,
which formerly claimed to Hudson's river, were
cut off by the line that deprived Connecticut of
the same proportion of its western territory.
With this acquisition, surely, the New-Yorkers
might have been content ; but very lately their
ivisdom, if not their " fraud," has prevailed over
the " ignorance" of New-Hampshire ; which has
sustained another amputation of its territory,
eighty miles in width and two hundred miles in
length : viz. all the land between the above men-
tioned twenty mile line and Connecticut river.
&6 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
The particulars of this transaction are interesting.
Beiining Wentworth, Esq, Governor of New-
Hampshire, by order of his present Majesty, di-
vided, in 17G2, the vast tract of land jnst men-
tioned into about 360 townships, six miles square
each. These townships he granted to proprie-
tors belonging to the four provinces of New-Eng-
land, one township to sixty proprietors ; and took
his fees for the same, according to royal appoint-
ment. Every township was, in twelve years time,
to have sixty families residing in it. In 1769
there were settled on this piece of land, 30,000
souls, at a very great expense ; and many town-
ships contained 100 families. The New-Yorkers
found means to deceive the King, and obtained a
decree that the East boundary of New-York, af-
ter passing Connecticut and Massachusetts-Bay,
should be Connecticut river.* This decree an-
nexed to the jurisdiction of New-York the said
360 townships; but was quietly submitted to by
the proprietors, since it was his majesty's will to
put them under the jurisdiction of New-York,
though they found themselves 150 miles farther
* Perhaps their success was facilitated by the considera-
tion, that the quit-rent payable to the Crown in New-York
is 2s. 6d. per 100 acres, but only 9d. in New Hampshire.
The same may be said, with still more reason, in reg-ard to
the lands acquired by New-York from Massachusetts-Bay
and Connecticut, where the quit rent is nothing.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICCT. 9t
from their new capital New-York, than tliey were
from Portsmouth, their old one. Had the New-
Yorkers rested satisfied with the jurisdiction,
which alone the King had given them, they might
have enjoyed their acquisition in peace; and New-
England would have thought they had possessed
some justice, though destitute of religious zeal.
But the Governor and General Assembly of New-
York, finding their interest in Old-England stron-
ger than the interest of the New-Englanders, de-
termined at once, that, as the King had given
them jurisdiction over those 360 townships, he
had also given them the lands in fee simple. Sir
Henry More, the Governor, therefore, in 17G7, be-
gan the laudable work of regraiiting those town-
ships to such people as lived in New- York, and
were willing to pay him 600Z. York currency for
his valuable name to each patent. It is remarka-
ble that Sir Harry made every lawyer in the whole
province a patentee ; but totally forgot the four
public lots, viz. that for the Society for the pro-
pagation of the Gospel, those for the church, the
first clergyman, and school in each township,
which had been reserved in Governor Went-
worth's grants. Death stopped his career; but
Golden, the Lieutenant-Governor, filled up the
measure of his iniquity, by granting all the rest
on the same conditions. Sir Henry More had ta-
ken care to grant to his dear self one township,
settled with above 80 families, before he died.
9
98 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Golden did the same for himself. The virtuous
William Smith, Esq. of New-York, had a town-
ship also; and Sir Henry More left him his ex-
ecutor to drive off the New-England settlers.
This, however, he attempted in vain. The polite
New-Yorkers, having the jurisdiction, betook
themselves to law, to get possession of the lands
in question, which they called their own; and
sent the posse of Albany to eject the possessors ;
but this mighty power was answered by Ethan
Allen, and the old proprietors under Governor
Wentvvorth, who was a King's Governor as well as
Sir Henry More : — the Mynheers of Albany were
glad to have liberty to return home alive. See here
the origin of Ethan Allen ! — of the Verdmonts, and
the Robbers of the Green Mountains; a compli-
ment paid by the New-Yorkers to the settlers un-
der Governor Wentvvorth ; — who, on that amiable
gentleman's death, had no friend of note left in
England, and were therefore under the necessity of
defending themselves, or becoming tenants to a
set of people who neither /eared God nor honored
the King, but when they got something by it. —
The New-Yorkers had the grace, after this, to
outlaw Ethan Allen, which rendered him of con-
sequence in New-England ; and it would not sur-
prise me to hear that New- York, Albany, and all
that the Dutchmen possess in houses east of Hud-
son's river, were consumed by fire, and the inha-
bitants sent to Heaveii, in the style of Dr. Mather
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 99
by the way of Amsterdam. I must do the New-
Englanders the justice to say, that, though they
esteem not highly Kings or Lords, yet they never
complained against his Majesty for what was done
respecting Verdmont; on the contrary they ever
said the King would reverse the obnoxious de-
cree, whenever he should be acquainted with the
truth of the case, which the New-Yorkers artful-
ly concealed from his knowledge. There are in
the four New-England provinces near 800,000
souls, and very few unconnected with the settle-
ments on Verdmont ; the property of which was
duly vested in them by Wentworth, the King's
Governor, whose predecessors and himself had
jurisdiction over it also for 106 years. They say,
what is very legal and just, that his Majesty had a
right to annex Verdmont to the government of
New-York, but could not give the fee of the land,
because he had before given it to the New-Eng-
landers. It appears very unlikely that those hardy
sons of Oliver will ever give up Verdmont to the
Nevz-Yorkers by the order of Sir Henry More, or
any other Governor, till compelled by the point
of the sword. The Mynheers have more to fear
than the New-Englanders, who will never yield
to Dutch virtue. Van Tromp was brave ; Oliver
was brave and successful too.
Mather, Neal, and Hutchinson, represent reli-
gion to have been the cause of the first settlement
of New-England ; and the love of gold as the
I GO HISTORY or CONNECTICUT.
Stimulus of the Spaniards in settling their colo-
nies in the southern parts of America; but, if we
should credit the Spanish historians, we must be-
lieve that their countrymen were as much influ-
enced by religion, in their colonial pursuits, as
were our own. However, in general, it may be
said, that the conduct of both parties towards the
aborigines discovered no principles but what
were disgraceful to human nature. Murder,
plunder, and outrage, were the means made use
of to convert the benighted savages of the wil-
derness to the system of Him " who went about
doing good." If we may depend on Abbe Ni-
colle, the Spaniards killed of the Aytis, or the
savage nations, in the Island of Hispaniola,
3,000,000 in seventeen years ; 600,000 in Porto
Rico, and twenty times these numbers on the
continent of South America, in order to propa-^
gate the Gospel in a savage and howling wilder-
ness ! The English colonists have been as indus-
trious in spreading the Gospel in the howling wil-
derness of North America. Upwards of 180,000
Indians, at least, have been slaughtered in Mas-
sachusetts-Bay and Connecticut,* to make way
* In 1680, the number of Indians, or aborigines, in the
whole province of Connecticut, was 4,000. This was al-
lowed by the General Assembly. How much greater their
number was in 1637, may be estimated from the accounts
given by Dr. Mather, Mr. Neal, Mr. Penhallow, and Mr.
Hutchinson, of the deaths of Englishmen in the Indian wars
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 101
for the protestant religion; and, upon a moderate
computation for the rest of the colonies on the
Continent and West-India Islands, I think one
may venture to assert, that near 2,000,000 sava-
ges have been dismissed from an unpleasant
world to the world of spirits, for the honor of the
protestant religion and English liberty. Never-
theless, having travelled over most parts of Bri-
tish America, I am able to declare, with great
sincerity, that this mode of converting the native
Indians is godlike in comparison with that adopt-
ed for the Africans. These miserable people
are first kidnapped, then jmt under saws, har-
for the space of forty-three years. It has been computed,
that, from 1637 to 1680, upon an average, 100 Englishmen
were killed yearly m those wars, and that there were killed
with the sword, gun, and small-pox, twenty Indians for one
Englishman. If this calculation is just, it appears that the
English killed of the Indians, during the above mentioned
period, 86,000; to which number the 4,000 Indians re-
maining in 1680 being added, it is clear that there were
90,000 Indians in Connecticut when Hooker began his holy
war upon them : not to form conjectures u[. on those who
probably afterwards abandoned the country. This evinces
the weakness of the Indian mode of fighting with bows and
arrows against guns, and the impropriety of calling Con-
necticut an hoiDling- inilderness in 1636, when Hooker arriv-
ed at Hertford. The Enghsh in 136 years have not much
more than doubled the number of Indians they killed in 43
years. In 1770 the number of Indians in Connecticut
amounted not to 400 souls.
9*
102 HISTORY OP Connecticut;
rows and axes of h^on, and forced through fht
brick-kiln to Molock. Near half a million of
them are doomed to hug their misery in igno-
rance, nakedness, and hunger, among their mas-
ter's upper servants in Georgia, the Carolinas^
Virginia, and Maryland. The number of these
wretches upon the continent and Islands is scarce
credible; above 100,000 in Jamaica alone; all
toiling for the tyrant's pleasure ; none seeking
other happiness than to be screened from the
torture rendered necessary by that curious Ame-
rican maxim, that men must be willing to die be-
fore they are Jit for the Kingdom of Heaven,
However, what Mussulman, African, or Ameri-
can, would not prefer the state of a christian
master, who dreads death above all things, to the
state of those christian converts'? Christianity
has been cursed through the insincerity of its
professors ; even savages despise its precepts, be-
cause they have no influence on christians them-
selves. Whatever religious pretences the Span-
iards, French, or English may plead for depopu-
lating and repeopling America, it is pretty clear
that the desire of gold and dominion was no im-
potent instigation with them to seek the western
continent. The British leaders in the scheme of
emigration had felt the humiliating effects of the
feudal system; particularly the partial distribu-
tion of fortunes and honors amonir children of
the same venter in the mother country. They
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 103
had seen that this inequality produced insolence
and oppression, which awakened the sentiments of
independence and liberty, the instincts of every
man. Nature then kindh^d war against the op-
pressors, and the oppressors appealed to prescrip-
tion. The event was, infelicity began her reign.
Both parties invoked religion, but prostrated
themselves before the insidious shrine of super-
stition, the life of civil government, and the si-
news of war; that expiates crimes by prayers^
uses ceremonies for good works, esteems devotion
more than virtue, supports religion without pro-
bity, values honesty less than honor, generates
happiness without morality, and is a glorious
helmet to the ambitious. They enlisted vassals
with her bounty, to fight, burn, and destroy one
another, for the sake of religion. Behold the se-
quel ! The vassals secured to themselves more
than Egyptian masters and laws, both in the el-
der and younger brothers ; yet, after all. Super-
stition told them they enjoyed liberty and the
rights of human nature. Happy deception ! The
Spartan Magnotes, tributary to the Turks, are
jealous of their liberties ; while the American
Cansez, near lake Superior, enjoy liberty com-
plete without jealousy. Among the latter, the
conscious independence of each individual warms
his thoughts and guides his actions. He enters
the sachemic dome with the same simple freedom
as he enters the wigwam of his brother ; neither
1G4 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT-
dazzled at the splendor, nor awed by the power
of the possessor. Here is liberty in perfection !
What Christian would wish to travel 4,000 miles
to rob an unoifending savage of what he holds by
the law of nature ! That is not the Gold or Do-
minion that any Christian ever sought for. The
first settlers of Ameri;ja had views ^ery different
from those of making it a christian country : their
grand aim was to get free irom the insolence of
their elder brethren, and to aggrandize themselves
in a new world, at the expense of the life, liberty,
and property, of the savages. Had the invaders
of New-England sown the seeds of christian be-
nevolence, even after they had eradicated the
savao-es and savage virtues, the world would not
have reproached them for cherishing that all-
grasping spirit in themselves, which in others had
driven them from their parent country : but the
feudal system, which they considered as an abom-
inable vice in England, became a shining virtue
on the other side of the Atlantic, and would have
prevailed there, had the people been as blind and
tame in worldly, as they were in spiritual con-
cerns. But they had too long heard their lead-
ers declaim against the monopoly of lands and
titles, not to discover that they themselves were
men, and entitled to the rights of that race of be-
ing's ; and they proceeded upon the same maxims
which they found also among the Indians, viz.
that mankind are, by nature, upon an equality in
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 105
point of rank and possession ; that it is incompati-
ble with freedom for any particular descriptions
of men systematically to monopolize honors and
property, to the exclusion of the rest ; that it was
a part despicable and unworthy of one freeman
to stoop to the will and caprice of another, on ac-
count of his wealth and titles, accruing not from
his owu; but from the heroism and virtue of his
ancestors, &c. &c. The vox populi estabhshed
these maxims in New-England ; and whoever did
not, at least, outwardly conform to them, were
not chosen into office: nay, though not objec-
tionable on that score, men very seldom met with
re-appointments, lest they should claim them b}^
hereditary right. Thus, the levelling principle
prevailing, equals were respected and superiors
derided. Europeans, whose manners were haugh-
ty to inferioffs and fawning to superiors, were
neither loved nor esteemed. Hence an English
traveller through Connecticut meets with super-
cilious treatment at taverns, as being too much ad-
dicted to the use of the imperative mood, when
speaking to the landlord. The answer is, " Com-
mand your own servants, and not me." The travel-
ler is not obeyed ; which provokes him to some ex-
pressions that are not legal in the colony, about
the impertinence of the landlord, who being com-
monly a justice of the peace, the delinquent is
immediately ordered into custody, fined, or put
into the stocks. However, after paying costs
106 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
and promising to behave well in future, he passes
on with more attention to his "unruly menioer"
than to his pleasures- Nevertheless, if a travel-
ler softens his tone, and avoids the imperative
mood, he will find every civility from those very
people, whose natural tempers are full of antipa-
thy against all who affect superiority over lliom.
This principle is, by long custom, blended with
the religious doctrines of the province : and the
people believe those to be heretics and Armini-
ans who assent not to their supremacy. Hence
they consider kingly Governors as the short
horns of antichrist, and every Colony in a state of
persecution which cannot choose its own Gover-
nor and Magistrates. Their aversion to New-
York is inconceiveably great on this account, as
well as others I have mentioned. Their jealous-
ies and fears of coming under its jurisdiction
make them heroes in the cause of liberty, and
great inquisitors into the characters and conduct
of all kingly Governors. They have selected Mr.
Tryon as the only English Governor wlio has act-
ed with justice and generosity in respect to the
rights, liberties, and feelings, of mankind, while,
they say, avarice, plunder, and oppression, have
marked the footsteps of all the rest. This cha-
racter Mr. Tryon possessed, even after he had
subdued the R.egulators in North-Carolina, and
was appointed Governor of New-York. Some
persons assert, indeed, that he secured the good
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 107
Will of Connecticut, by recommending, in Eng-
land, the Livingstons, Schuylers, and Smiths, as
the best subjects in New- York. However, Mr.
Tryon was undoubtedly entitled to good report :
he was humane and polite : to him the injured
had access without a fee : he would hear the poor
man's complaint, though it wanted the aid of a
polished lawyer. Besides, Mr. Tryon did not
think it beneath him to speak to a peasant in the
street, or to stop his coach to give people an op-
portunity to let him pa^s. His object was not to
make his fortune, nor did he neglect the interest of
the people. He embellished not his language with
oaths and curses, nor spent the Sabbath at ta-
verns. 'Tis true, Mr. Tryon went not to meet-
ing ; but he was forgiven this otfence, because
he went to church ; the people of New-England
having so much candor as to believe a man may
be a good sort of a man, if he goes to church,
and is exemplary in his words and deeds. I have
not the honor of being known to Mr. Tryon, but,
from what I know of him, I must say, without
meaning to oftend any other, that he was the
best Governor, and the most pleasing gentleman
that I ever saw in a civil capacity in America;
and that I cannot name any Briton so well calcu-
lated to govern in Connecticut, with ease and
safety to himself, as he is. One reason for this
assertion is, that Mr. Tryon has a punctilious re-
gard for his word ; a quality, which, though
108 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT^
treachery is the staple commodity of the four
New-England provinces, the people greatly ad-
mire in a Governor, and which, they say, they
have seldom found in royal Governors in Ameri-
ca. But whither am I wandering ? I beg
pardon for this disgression, though in favor of so
worthy a man.
Of the share Connecticut has taken, n common
with her sister colonies, in co-operating with the
Mother country against her natural enemies, it is
superfluous to say any thing here, that being al-
ready sufficiently known. I shall therefore pro-
ceed to a description of the country, its towns,
productions, &c. together with the manners, cus-
toms, commerce, &c. of the inhabitants, inter-
spersing such historical and biographical anec-
dotes, as may occur to me in the relation, and
have a tendency to elucidate matter of fact, or
characterize the people.
The dimensions of Connecticut, according to
its present all )wed extejit, are, from the Sound,
on the south, to the Massachusetts line, on the
north, about sixty miles ; and from Biram river
and New- York line, on the west, to Narrnganset
Bay, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts Bay, on
the east, upon an average, about one hundred
miles. It is computed to contain 5,000,000
acres.
Many creeks and inlets, bays, and rivers inter-
sect the coast. Three of the last, dividing the
HISTORY OF CONNLCTICL'i*. lOV)
i:uiony into as many parts, I shall particularly iro-
tico They all run from north to south. '
The eastern river is called the ThameF as iar
as it is navigable, which is only to Norwich, 14
miles from its mouth. There dividing, the great-
est branch, called Quinnibaug, rolls rapidly from
its source 100 miles distant through many towns
and villages, to their great pleasantness and pro-
fit. On it are many mills and iron works; and
in it various kinds of fish; but no salmon, for
w-ant of proper places to nourish their spawn.
The middle river is named Connotticut, after
the great Sachem to whom that part of the pro-
vince through which it runs belonged. This vast
river is 500 miles long, and four miles wide at its
mouth : its channel, or inner banks, in general,
half a mile wide. It takes its rise from the White
Hills, in the north of New-England, where also
springs the river Kennebec. Above 500 rivulets,
which issue from lakes, ponds, and drowned lands,
fidl into it : many of them are larger than the
Thames at London. In March, when the rain
and sun melt the snow and ice. each stream is
overcharged, and kindly liastens to this great
river, to overflow, fertilize, and preserve its trem-
bling^ mearlows. They lift up enormors cakes of
ice, I'orsting from their frozen beds with threaten-
ing intentions of ph,wing up ihe frighted earth,
and carry them rap-dly down tl^e falls, uheretbey
are daslied in pieces and rise in mist. Except at
10
110 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
these falls, of which there are five, the first sixty
miles from its mouth, the river is navigable
throughout. In its northern parts are three great
bondings, called coho^ses, about 100 miles asun-
der. Two hundred miles from the Sound is a
narrow of five yards only, formed by two shelving
mountains of solid tock, whose tops intercept the
clouds. Through this chasm are compelled to
pass all the waters whicfi in the time of the floods
bury the northern country. At the upper cohos
the nver then spreads several miles wide, and for
five or six weeks ships of war might sail over
lands, that afterwards produce the greatest crops
of hay and grain in all America. People who
can bear the sight, the groans, the tremblings,
and surly motion of water, trees, and ice, th.rough
this awful passage, view with astonishment one of
the greatest phenomenons in nature. Here water
is consolidated, without frost, by pressure, by
swiftness, between the pinching, sturdy rocks, to
such a degree of induration, that an iron crow
floats smoothly down its current : — here iron, l(;ad,
and cork, have one common weight : — here, steady
as time, and harder than marble, the stream passes
irresistible, if not swift, as lightning : — the elec-
tric fire rends trees in pieces with no greater ease,
than does this mighty water. The passage is
about 400 yards in length, and of a zigzag form,
with obtuse corners. The following representa-
tion will assist the reader in forming an idea of it.
il2 HlSTORy OF CONNECTICUT.
At high water are carried through this straight
masts and other timber with incredible swtftness,
and sometimes with safety ; but when the water
is too low, the masts, timber^nd trees, strike on
one side or the other, and, though of the largest
size, are rent in one moment, into shivers, and
>plintered like a broom, to the amazement of
spectators. The meadows, for many miles be-
low, are covered with immense quantities of
wood thus torn in peices, which compel the har-
diest travellers to reflect how feeble is man, and
how great that Almighty who formed the light-
nings, thunders, and the irresistable power and
strength of waters !
No living creature was ever known to pass
through this narrow, except an Indian woman,
who was in a canoe, attempting to cross the river
above it, but carelessly suffered herself to fall
within the power of the current. Perceiving her
danger, she took a bottle of rum she had with her,
and drank the whole of it; then lay down in her
canoe, to meet her destiny. She marvelously
went tiirough safely, and was taken out of the
canoe some miles belo\v„ quite intoxicated, by
some En«rlishmen. Bein«: asked how she could
be so daringly imprudent as to drink such a qua!>-
tity of rum with the pros{)cct of instant death be-
fore her, tlie sc[uw, as well as her condition would
let her, replied, " Yes, it was too much rum for
once, to be sure ; but I was not willing to lose ct
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
DANGEROUS PASSAGE
Of an Indian Woman through the narrows of Gonnecti-
€ut River.
(Page 111.)
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 113
drop of it; so I drank it, and yoa see I have
saved all."
Some persons assert that salmon have been
(•aught above this narrow, while others deny it.
Many have observed salmon attempt to pass in
time of floods, which certainly is the best and
likeliest time, as, from the height of the uater,
and the shelving of the rocks, the passage is then
l)roader^ but they were always thrown back, and
generally killed. It is not to be supposed that
any fish could pass with the stream alive. Above
this narrow there is plenty offish both in summer
and winter, which belong to the lakes or ponds
that communicate with the river: below it are
the greatest abundance and variety caught or
known in North-America. No salmon are found
in any river to the westward of this.
Except the Mississippi and St. Lawrence, the
(::onnecticut is the largest river belonging to the
English plantations in the New World. On each
^hore of it are two great roads leading from the
mouth 200 miles up the country, lined on both sides
with the best built houses in America, if not in
the world. It is computed, that the country on
each bank of this river, to a depth of six miles,
and a length of 300, is sufficient for the mainte-
nance of an army of 100,000 men. In short the
neighboring spacious and fertile meadow, arable,
and other lands combined with this noble nver,
10*
1 14 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
are at once the beauty and main support of all
New-England.
The western river is navigable and called Strat-
ford only for ten miles where Derby stands ; and
then takes the name of Osootonoc. It is fifty miles
west from Connecticut river, and half a mile wide.
It rises in the Verdmonts, above 200 miles from
the sea, and travels 300 miles through many plea-
sant towns and villages. The adjacent meadows
are narrow, and the country in general very hilly.
With some expense it might be made navigable
above 100 miles. It furnishes fish of various
kinds, and serves many mills and iron-works.
Two principal bays, named Sassacus or New-
London, and Q,uinnipiog or New-Haven, run five
or six miles into the country, and are met by
rivers whicli formerly bore the Sachems names.
It has already been observed, that Connecticut
was settled under three distinct independent
Governors ; and that each Dominion, since their
union in 1664, has been divided into two coun-
ties.
The Kingdom op Sassacus, Sachem of the Pe-
quods, a warlike nation, forms the counties of
New-London and Windham, which contain about
10,000 houses, and 60,000 inhabitants. Sassacus
was brave by nature. The sound of his coming
would subdue nations, at the same time that Jus-
tice would unbend his bow, and Honor calm the
thunder of his tongue. Dr. Mather, Mr. Neal,
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 115
and others, have endeavored to blast his fame by
proving him to have been the aggressor in the
bloody wars which ended in his ruin. They have
instanced the murder of Captain Stone and others,
to justify this war, but carefully concealed the
assassination of Quinnipiog, the treachery of Mr.
Elliot (the Massachusetts-Bay apostle of the In-
dians,) and the infamous villainy of Hooker, who
spread death upon the leaves of his Bible, and
struck Connecticote mad with disease. They
also conceal another important truth, that the
English had taken possession of land belonging
to Sassacus, without purchase or his consent.
Besides, Sassacus had too much sagacity to let
christian spies, under the appellation of gospel
missionaries, pass through his country. He had
seen the consequences of admitting such minis-
ters of Christianity from Boston, Hertford, &c.
among his neighboring nations, and generously
warned them to keep their gospel of peace from
his dominions. The invaders of this howling
wilderness, finding their savage love detected,
and that the Pequods were not likely to fall a sac-
rifice to their hypocrisy, proclaimed open war
with sword and gun. The unfortunate Sassacus
met his fate. Alas ! he died — not like Connecti-
cote, nor Q,uinnipiog — but in the field of battle ;
and the freedom of his country expired with his final
groan. This mighty conquest was achieved by
the colonists of Connecticnt, ivithout the aid of
116 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
the Massachusetts; nevertheless, Mr. Neal and
others have ascribed the honor of it to the latter,
with a view of magnifying their consequence, ever
Mr. Neal's grand object.
The county of New-London abounds chiefly
with wooL butter, cheese, and Indian crn ; and
contains eight towns, all of which I shall de-
scribe.
Keiv -London has the river Thames on the east,
and the bay of its own name on the south, and re-
sembles Islington. Its port and harbor are the
best in the colony. The church, the meeting,
and cuurt-house, are not to be boasted of; the
fort is trifling. The houses in this, as in all the
towns in the province, are insulated, at the dis-
tance of three, four, or five yards one from the
otiier, to prevent the ravages of fire. That of
John Winthrop, Esq. is the best in the province.
The township is ten miles square, and comprises
five parishes, one of which is episcopal. Abime-
leck, a descendant of the first English-made king
of Mohegin, resides with his small party in this
township. He is a king to whom the people pay
some respect, — because they made him so.
The people of this town have the credit of in-
renting tar and feathers as a proper punishment
for heresy. They first inflicted it on quakers and
anabaptists.
New-London has a printing press, much exer-
cised in the business of printing pamphlets, ser-
HISTGIIY OF CONNECTICUT. 117
iiioiis and nevvsyjapers. It is employed by the
Governor and Company, and is the oldest and
best in the colony. New-Haven, Hertford, and
Norwich, also, have each a printing press ; so that
the people are plentifully supplied with news, poli-
tics, and polemical divinity. A very extraor-
dinary circumstance happened here in 1740.
Mr. George Whitefield paid tliem a visit, and
preached of righteousness, temperance, and a
judgment to come, which roused them into the be-
lief of a heaven and a hell. They became as
children iveaned, and pliable as melted wax, and
with great eagerness cried out, What shall we da
tohe saved^l The preacher, then in the pulpit,
thus answered them, " Repent — do violence to
no man — part with your self-righteousness, your
silk gowns, and laced petticoats — burn your ruf^
fles, necklaces, jewels, rings, tinselled waistcoats,
your morality and bishop's books, this very night,
or damnation will be your portion before the
morning dawn." The people, rather througli
fear than faith, instantly went out on the common,
and prepared for heaven, by burning all the
abo^'e enumerated goods, excepting that of self-
righteousness, which was exchanged for the
preacher's velvet breeches. — Vide Th\ Chancey.^'
(h'oton, across the bay from New-London, re-
sembles Battersea. T'le township is ten miles
^Finppl'jment, Note X=
Ili5 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
square, and forms four parishes, one of which is
episcopal. This town is the residence of tho va-
liant Sassacus, Sachem of the Pequod nation.
Stonington lies on Narraganset bay, is the east
corner of Connecticut, and consists of three pa-
rishes. The township is eight miles square.
Preston, on Quinnibaug river, forms three pa-
rishes, one of which is episcopal. The township
is eight miles square.
A^orwich, on the Thames, 14 miles from the sea,
is an half-shire with New-London. The town
stands on a plain, one mile from Chelsea, or the
Landing. Its best street is two miles long, and
has good houses on both sides, five yards asunder
from each other. In the centre is a common, of
the size of Bloomsbury square, in which stand a
beautiful court-house^ and a famous meeting with
clocks, bells, and steeples. The township is fif-
teen miles square, and forms 13 parishes, one
episcopal. Chelsea, or the Landing, resembles
Dover. [Here land is sold at fifteen shillings
sterling by the square toot.] This town is fa-
mous for its trade ; for iron-works, grist, paper,
linseed, spinning and fulling mills ; also for a fur-
nace that makes stone ware. Some peculiarities
and curiosities here attract the notice of Europe-
ans : — L a bridge over Quinnibaug, 60 yards
long, butted on two rocks, and geometrically sup-
pi fed; under wbi<b pass sliips with all their
sails standing : — 2. the steeple of the grand meet-
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 119
iDg-Iiouse stands at the east end : — 3. the inha-
bitants bury their dead with their feet to the west.
The following couplet was written by a traveller
on the steeple :
" They're so perverse and opposite,
As if they built to God in spite."
The reasons for the singular custom of burying
the dead with their feet to the west, are two, and
special : first, when Christ begins his millenarian
reign, he will come from the west, and his saints
will be in a ready posture to rise and meet him :
secondly, the papists and episcopalians bury their
dead with their feet to the east.
Was I to give a character of the people of Nor-
wich, I would do it in the words of the famous
Mr. George Whitefield, (who was a good judge
of mankind,) in his farewell sermon to them a
short time before his death ; viz. " When I first
preached in this magnificent house, above 20
years ago, I told you, that you were part beast,
part man, and part devil ; at which you were of-
fended. I have since thought much about that
expression, and confess that for once I was mis-
taken. I therefore take this my last opportunity
to correct my error. Behold ! I now tell you,
that you are not part man and part beast, but
wholly of the devil."
Lyme stands on the east side of Connecticut
river, opposite Saybrook ; and resembles Lewis-
'120 HISTORY OF CONXKCTICUT.
ham. The tovvnsiiip is 16 miles long, and 8 wide,
and forms f )ur parishes.
Saybrook is f iluated on the west side of Con-
necticut river, 20 miles west from New-London,
and resembles Battersea. The townsliip is twenty
miles long and six wide, and forms four parishes.
This town was named after the Lords Say and
Brook, who were said to claim the country^ and
sent, in 1634, a Governor and a large number of
people from England to build a fort and settle
the colony. It was principally owing to this fort
that Hertford and New-Iiaven made good their
settlements : it prevented Sassacus from giving
timely aid to Connecticote and Quinnipiog.
Saybrook is greatly fallen from its ancient
grandeur ; but is, notwithstanding, resorted to
with great veneration, as the parent town of the
whole colony. The tombs of the first settlers are
held sacred, and travelhn-s seldom pass them with-
out the compliment of a sigh or tear. On one
mossy stone is written,
" Here pri-.le is calinyd, and death is life."
In 1709, this town was honored by a conven-
tion of contending independent divines, wliou'cre
pleased with no constitution in church or state.
This multitude of sectarians, after Ions; debates,
publislied n book, called The Saybrork Platf >rni
containing the doctrines and rules of the churches
JilSTORVr OB^ CONNECTICUT, 121
ill Connecticut. The only novelty in this system
is, that Christ has delegated his ministerial, king-
ly, and prophetical power, one half to the peo-
ple, and the other half to the ministers. This
proposition may be thought in Europe a very
strange one ; but, if it be recollected, that the
people in the province claimed all power in hea-
ven and on earth, and that the ministers had no
other ordination than what came from the people,
it will appear, that the ministers hereby gained
from the people one half of iheir power. From
this article originated the practice of the right
hand of fellowship at the ordination of a minister.
No one can be a minister, till he receives the
right hand of the messenger who represents six
deacons from six congregations. The conclusion
of this reverend and venerable body is, "The
Bible is our rule."
Mr. Neal says p. 610, "That every particular
society is a complete church, having power to
exercise all ecclesiastical jurisdiction, without
appeal to any classes : — they allow of synods for
council and advice, but not to exercise the power
of the keys."
If Mr. Neal had taken the trouble to read the
history of the Church of Massachusetts-Bay, writ-
ten by the Rev. John Wise, a minister, of that
church, he would have found that the contrary to
all that he has advanced is the truth. The peo-
ple of that province held the keys from 1620 to
11
122 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
1650 : then the ministers got possession of them
by their own vote, which was passed into a law
by the General Assembly. The vote was, " There
cannot be a minister, unless he is ordained by
ministers of Jesus Christ." Thus commenced or-
dination by ministers in New England. The people
were alarmed at the loss of the keys, and asked the
ministers who had ordained them ^ The ministers
answered, The people. Then, replied the people,
we are the ministers of Jesus Christ, or you are
not ministers ; and we will keep the power. A
violent contest ensued between the people and
the ministers ; but the latter, by the help of the
General Assembly, retained the power of the
keys and instituted three ecclesiastical courts,
viz. 1. The Minister and his Communicants : 2.
The Association : and, 3. The Synod. There
lies an appeal from one to the other of these
courts, all which exercise so much ecclesiastical
power, that few are easy under it. The first
court suspends from the communion ; the second
re-hears the evidence, and confirms or sets aside
the suspension ; the synod, after hearing the case
again, excommunicates or discharges the accused.
From this last judgment no appeal is allowed by
the synod. The excommunicated person has no
other resourse than petitioDing the General As-
sembly of the province, which sometimes grants
relief, to the great grief of the synod and minis-
ters. But the representatives commonly pay dear
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 1231
for overlooking the conduct of the synod at the
next election.
The people of Connecticut have adopted the
same mode of discipline as prevails in Massachu-
setts-Bay, but call a synod a Consociation,
To shew that the synods are not quite so harm-
less as Mr. Neal reports, I will give an instance
of their authority exercised in Connecticut in
1758. A Mr. Merret, of Lebanon, having lost
his wife, with whom he had lived childless 40
years, went to Rhode Island, and married a niece
of his late wife, which was agreeable to the laws
of that province. By her having a child, Mr.
Merret offered the same for baptism to the minis-
ter of whose church he was a member. The min-
ister refused because it was an incestuous child ;,
and cited Merret and his wife to appear before
himself and his church upon an indictment of in-
cest. Merret appeared ; the verdict was, Guilty
of incest. He appealed to the association, which
also found him guilty of hicest. He again ap-
pealed to the consociation, and was again found
guilty of incest. Merret and his wife were then
ordered to separate, and to make a public confes-
sion, on pain of excommunication. Merret re-
fused ; whereupon the minister read the act of
excommunication, while the deacons shoved Mer-
ret out of the meeting-house. Being thus cast
out of the synagogue, and debarred from the con-
densation, of any one in the parish, it was well
124 HISTORY OP CONNECTICUT.
said by Mr. Merret, " If this be not to exercise
the power of the keys, I know not what it is." The
poor man soon after died of a broken heart, and
was buried in his own garden by such christian
brethren as were not afraid of the 77iild puissance
of the consociation.
Mr. Neal says, also, p. 609, after evincing his
jealousy at the growth of the church of England
in New-England, '' If the religious liberties of the
plantations are invaded by the setting up of spi-
ritual courts, &c. they will feel the sad effects of
it." In this sentiment I agree with Mr. Neal ;
but, unluckily, he meant the Bishop's courts, and
I mean the courts of synods, composed of his
"meek, exemplary, and learned divines of New-
England," but who are more severe and terrible,
than ever was the star-chamber under the influ-
ence of Laud, or the inquisition of Spain. The
ecclesiastical courts of New-England have, in the
course of 160 years, bored the tongues with hot
needles, cut off the ears, branded the foreheads
of, and banished, imprisoned, and hanged more
quakers, baptists, adamites, ranters, episcopalians,
for what they call heresy, blasphemy, and witch-
craft, than there are instances of persecution in
Fox's book of Martyrology, or under the bishops
of England since the death of Henry VIII. And
yet Mr. Neal was afraid of spiritual courts, and
admired the practice of the New England church-
es, who only excommunicate offenders, delivering
HISTORY OF CONNECTICLT. 125
them over to the civil magistrate to torture and
ruin. If I remember right, I once saw the inqui-
sition of Portugal act after the same manner,
when the priest said, " We deal with the soul,
and the civil magistrate with the body."
Time not having destroyed the walls of the
fort at Saybrook, Mr. Whitefield, in 1740, at-
tempted to bring them down, as Joshua brought
down those of Jericho, to convince the gaping
multitude of his divine mission. He walked se-
ven times round the fort with prayer and rams-
horns blowing — h.c called on the angel of Joshua
to come and do as he had done at the walls of
Jericho; but the angel was deaf, or on a journey,
or asleep; and therefore the walls remained.
Hereupon George cried aloud, " This town is ac-
cursed for not receiving the messenger of the
Lord; therefore the angel is departed, and the
walls shall stand as a monument of a sinful peo-
j)le." He shook off the dust of his feet against
them, and departed, and went to Lyme.
Killingsworth is ten miles west from Saybrook.
lies on the sea, and resembles Wandsworth. The
township is eight miles square, and divided into
two parishes. This town is noted for the resi-
dence of the Rev. Mr. Elliot, commonly called
Dr. Elliot, who discovered the art of making
steel out of sand, and wrote a book on husbandry,
which will secure him a place in the Temple of
Fame.
II*
X26 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Windham, the second county in the ancient
kingdom of Sassacus, or colony of Saybrook, is
hilly; but, the soil being rich, has excellent but-
ter, cheese, hemp, wheat, Indian corn, and horses.
Its towns are twelve.
Windham resembles Rumford, and stands on
Winnomantic river. Its meeting-house is ele-
gant, and has a steeple, bell, and clock. Its
court-house is scarcely to be looked upon as an
ornament. The township forms four parishes,
and is ten miles square.
Strangers are very much terrified at the hide-
oiis noise made on summer evenings by the vast
number of frogs in the brooks and ponds. There
are about thirty different voices among them;
some of which resemble the bellowing of a bull.
The owls and whi})poorvvilIs complete the rough
concert, which may be heard several miles. Per-
sons accustomed to such serenades are not dis-
turbed by them at their proper stations ; but one
night, in July, 1758, the frogs of an artificial pond,
three miles square, and about five from Windham,
finding the water dried up, left the place in a
body, and marched, or rather hopped, towards
Winnomantic river. They were under the ne-
cessity of taking the road and going through the.
town, which they entered about midnight. The
bull frogs were the leaders, and the pipers fol-
lowed without number. They filled a road 40
yards wide for four miles in length, and were for
KlSTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
GENERAL PUTNAM,
Of Pomfret, attacking a Bear.
(Page 132.)
HISTORY OF CONNECTICITT. 127
several hours in passing tlirough the town, unusu-
ally clamorous. The inhabitants were equally
perplexed and frightened : some expected to find
an army of French and Indians; others feared an
earthquake, and dissolution of nature. The con-
sternation was universal. Old and young, male
and female, fled naked from their beds with worse
shriekings than those of the frogs. The event
was fatal to several women. The men, after a
flight of half a mile, in which they met with many
broken shins, finding no enemies in pursuit of
them, made a halt, and summoned resolution
enough to venture back to their wives and chil-
dren ; when they distinctly heard from the ene-
my's camp these words, fVight, HUderke i, Bier,
Tete. This last they thought meant treaty ; and
plucking up courago, they sent a triumvirate to
capitulate with the supposed French and Indians*
These three men approached in their shirts, and
begged to speak with the General ; but it being
dark, and no answer given, they were sorely agi-
tated for some time betwixt hope and fear; at
length, however, they discovered that the dreaded
inimical army was an army of thirsty frogs, going
to the river for a little water.
Such an incursion was never known before
nor since ; and yet the people of Windham have
been ridiculed for their timidity on this occasion..
T verily believe an army under the Duke of Marl-
128 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
borough, would, under like circumstances, have
acted no better than they did.
In 1768, the inhabitants on Connecticut river
were as much alarmed at an army of caterpillers,
as those of Windham were at the frogs ; and no
one found reason to jest at their fears. Those
worms came in one night, and covered the earth
on both sides of that river, to an extent of three
miles in front and two in depth. They marched
with great speed and eat up every thing green
for the space of one hundred miles, in spite of
rivers, ditches, fires, and the united efforts of
1,000 men. They were, in general, two inches
long, had white bodies covered with thorns, and
red throats. When they had finished their work,
they went down to the river Connecticut, v/here
they died, poisoning the waters until they were
washed into the sea. This calamity was imputed
by some to the vast number of trees and logs lying-
in the creeks, and to the cinders, smoke, and fires
made to consume the waste wood, for tnree or four
hundred miles up the Connecticut ; while others
thoui^ht it augurated future evils similar to those
in Egypt. The inhabitants of the Verdmonts
would unavoidably have perished by famine in
consequence of the devastation of these worms,
had not a remarkable providence filled the wil-
derness with wild pigeons, which were killed
by sticks as they sat on the branches of trees in
such multitudes, that 30,000 people lived on
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 129
them for three weeks. If a natural cause may
be assigned for the coming of the frogs and cat-
erpillars, yet the visit of the pigeons to a wilder-
ness in August has been necessarily ascribed to
an interposition of infinite power and goodness.
Happy will it be for America, if the smiling
providence of Heaven produces gratitude, repen-
tance and obedience amongst her cliildren !
Lebanon lies on the west side of Winnomantic
river. Its best street, which has good houses on
both sides, is one mile long, and one hundred
yards wide. An elegant meeting, with a steeple
and bell stands in the centre. The township is
ten miles square, and forms four parishes. This
town was formerly famous for an Indian school
under the conduct of the Reverend Dr. Eleazer
Wheelock, whose great zeal for the spiritual good
of the savages in the wilderness induced him to
solicit a collection through England. Having
met with success, his school at Lebanon became
a college in the Province of New- Hampshire ;
where he lias converted his godliness into gain,
and promises fair to excuse Government from the
expense of a superintendent of Indian affairs.
Coventry lies on the same river: the houses
are straggling. The township is ten miles square,
and consists of two parishes. Here are two
ponds, the one three, the other four miles iong>
and half as wide, well filled with mackerel and
other fish.
130 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Mansfield lies east of Coventry, on Winnoman-
tic and Fundy rivers : the houses are scattered.
The township is eight miles square, and divided
into two parishes.
Union and fVilmington lie on Winnomantic
river, forming two parishes. Each township is
six miles s(juare.
Ashford lies on the river Fundy, in a township
ten miles square, and forming three parishes.
The people of the town have distinguished them-
selves by a strict enforcement of the colony laws
against heretics and episcopalians, for not attend-
ing their meetings on the Sabbath.
Woodstockhes on Q,uinnebaug, and resembles
Finchley. The township is ten miles square,
and divided into three parishes. Woodstock had
the honor to give birth to the Rev. Thomas Brad-
bury Chandler, D. D. a learned Divine of the
Church of England, and well known in the litera-
ry world.
Killingsley lies cast of Woodstock. The
township, twenty miles long, and six wide, forms
three parishes.
Pomfret stands on Quinnebaug river, and re-
sembles Battersea. The township is twelve miles
square, and forms four parishes, one of which is
episcopal. Fanaticism had always prevailed in
the county of Windham over christian modera-
tion ; when, about the year 1770, after many abu-
ses, the episcopalians found a friend in God free
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUt. 131
Malebone, Esq. who built on his own estate an
elegant church, which was patronised by the So-
ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign
parts, who appointed a clergyman.
We read that David slew a lion and a bear, and
afterwards that Saul trusted hhn to fight Goliath,
[n Pomfret lives Col. Israel Putnam, who slew a
she-bear and her two cubs with a bdlet of wood.
The bravery of this action brought him into pub-
lic notice : and, it seems, he is one of Fortune's
favorites. The story is as follows : — In 1754, a
large she-bear came in the night from her den,
which was three mile? from Mr. Putnam's house^
and took a sow out of a pen of his. The sow, by
her squeaking, awoke Mr. Putnam, who hastily
ran to the poor creature's relief; but before he
could reach the pen^ the bear had left it, and was
trotting away with the sow in her mouth. Mr.
Putnam took up a billet of wood, and followed
the screamings of the sow, till he came to the
foot of the mountain, where the den wa i. Daunt-
less he entered the horrid cavern ; and, after
walking and crawling upon his hands and knees
for fifty yarris, came to a roomy eel!, wherf^ the
bear met him with great fury. He saw nothing
but the fire of her eyes ; but that was sufficient
for our hero: he accordingly directed his blow,
which at once prov<-d fat.d to the bear and saved
his own life at a mosJ critical moment. I'ut-
nam then discovered and killed two cubs ; and
13^ HISTORY OF CONNECtlCL'T.
having, though in Egyptian darkness, dragged
them and the dead sow, one by one, out of the
cave, hp went home, and calmly reported to his
family what had happened. The neighbors de-
clared, on viewing the place by torch-light, that
his exploit exceeded those of Sampson or David.
Soon afterwards the General Assembly appointed
Mr. Putnam a Lieutenant in the army marching
against Canada. His courage and good con-
duct raised him to the rank of Captain the next
year. The third year he was made a Major ; and
the fourth a Colonel. Putnam and Rogers were
the heroes through the last war. Putnam was so
hardy, at a time when the Indians had killed all
his men, and completely hem.Dtd him in upon a
river, as to leap into a stream, which in a minute
carried him down a stupendous fall, where no tree
could pass without being torn in pieces. The
Indians reasonably concluded that Putnam, their
terrible enemy was dead, and made their report
accordingly at Ticonderoga ; but soon after, a
scouting party, found their sad mistake in a
bloody rencontre. Some few that got off de-
clared that Putnam was yet living, and that he
was the first son of Hobbamockow, and therefore
immortal. However, at length, the Indians took
this terrible warrior prisoner, and tied him to a
tree ; where he hung three days wi^thout food or
drink. They did not attempt to kill him for fear
of offending Hobbamockow ; but they sold him
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT
GENERAL PUTNAM,
Of Pomfret, attacking a Bear.
(Page 132.)
MlBTORt OF CONNECTICUT. 133
to the French at a great price. The name of
Putnam was more alarming to the Indians than
cannon, and they never would fight him after his
escape from the falls. lie was afterwards re-
deemed by the English.
Plainfield and Canterbury lie on Quinibaug
river opposite to one another, and have much the
appearance of Levvisham. Each township is
eight miles square, and forms two parishes.
Voluntown lies on a small river, and resembles
Finchley Common. The township is fifteen miles
long, and five wide, and forms three parishes, one
of which is Presbyterian. This sect has met with
as little christian charity and humanity ij- this
hair-brain'd country as the Anabaptists, Quakers,
and Churchmen. The Sober Dissenters, of this
town, as they style themselves, will not attend the
funeral of a Presbyterian.
The Kingdom of Connecticote forms two
counties, viz. Hertford and Litchfield, which con-
tain about 15,000 houses, and 120,000 inhabi-
tants.
The county of Hertford excels the rest in to-
bacco, onions, grain of all sorts, hay, and cider.
It contains twenty-one towns, the chief of which
I shall describe, comparing the rest to towns near
London.
Hertford town is deemed the capital of the
province : it stands 40 miles from Saybrook, and
the same distance fr^m New-Haven, on the west
12
134 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
bank of Connecticut river, and is formed int®
squares. The township is twenty miles from east
to west, and six in breadth, comprising six parish-
es, one of which is episcopal.
The houses are partly of brick and partly of
wood, well built, but, as I have observed in ge-
neral of the towns in Connecticut, do not join.
King's -street is two miles long, and thirty yards
wide ; well paved, and cut in two by a small ri-
ver, over which is a high bridge. The town is
half a mile wide. A grand courthouse, and two
elegant meetings, with steeples, bells, and clocks,
adorn it. In 1760, a foundation of quarry stoiio
was laid for an episcopal church in this town, at the
expense of near oOOZ. on which occasion the epis-
copalians had a mortifying proof that the present
inhabitants inherit the spirit of their ancestors.
Samuel Talcott, Esq. one of the judges of the
County Court, with the assistance of a mob, took
away the stones, and with them built a house for
his son. What added to so meritorious an ac-
tion was, its being justified by the General As-
sembly and the (/onsociation.
In 1652, this town had the honor of executing
Mrs. Greensmith, the first witch ever heard of in
America. She was accused in the indictment of
practising evil things on the body of Ann Cole,
which did not appear to be true ; but the Rev. Mr.
Stone, and other ministers, swore that Greensmith
had confessed to them that the devil had had car-
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 135
nal knowledge of her. The court then ordered
her to be hanged upon the indictment. Surely
none of those learned divines and statesmen
studied in the Temple or Lincoln's Inn ! — It
should seem that every dominion or township was
possessed of an ambition to make itself famous in
history. The same year, Springfield, not to be
outdone by Hertford, brought Hugh Parsons to
trial for witchcraft, and the jury found him guilty :
but Mr. Pincheon, the judge, had some under-
standing, and prevented his execution till the mat-
ter was laid before the General Court at Boston,
who determined that he was not guilty of witch-
craft. The truth was. Parsons was blessed with
a fine person and genteel address, insomuch that
the women could not help admiring him above
every other man in Springfield, and the men
could not help hating him : — so that there were
witnesses enough to swear that Parsons was a
wizzard, — because he made females love and
males hate him.
In Hertford are the following curiosities: 1.
A house built of American oak in 1640, the tim-
bers of which are yet sound, nay almost petrified :
in it was born Jonathan Belcher, Esq. Governor
of Massachusetts-Bay and New-Jersey. 2. An
elm esteemed sacred for beinij the tree in which
their charter was concealed. 3. A wonderful
well, which was dug sixty feet deep witdout any
appearance of water, when a large rock was met
ie6 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
with. The miners boring this rock, in order to
blast it with powder, drove the auger through it,
upon which the water spouted up with such great
velocity, that it was with difficulty the well was
stoned. It soon filled and ran over, and has sup-
ported, or rather made, a brook for above one
hundred years.
The tomb of Mr. Hooker is viewed with great
reverence by his disciples. Nathaniel, his great
grandson, a minister in Hertford, inherits more,
than all his virtues, without any of his vices.
Weather sjield is four miles from Hertford, and
more compact than any town in the colony. The
meeting-house is of brick, with a steeple, bell,
and clock. The inhabitants say it is much larger
than Solonion's Temple. The township ten miles
s(]|uare ; parishes four. The people are more gay
than polite, and more superstitious than religious.
This town raises more onions than are con-
sumed in all New-England. It is a rule with pa-
rents to buy annually a silk gown for each daugh-
ter above seven years old, till she is married.
The young beauty is obliged in return, to weed
a patch of onions with her own hands ; which she
performs in the cool of the morning, before she
dresses for her breakfast. This laudable and
healthy custom is ridiculed by the ladies in other
towns, who idle away their mornings in bed, or
in gathering the pink, or catching the butterfly,
to ornament their toilets ; while the £^entlemer\
HISTORY OF roWI^CTlCl'T.
PIELD or ONIONS AT WETHERSFIELD.
(Page 136.1
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 137
far and near, forget not the Weathersfield ladies'
silken industry.
Weathersfield was settled in 1637, by the Rev.
Mr. Smith and his followers, who left Watertown,
near Boston, in order to get out of the power of
Mr. Cotton, whose severity in New-England ex-
ceeded that of the bishops in Old-England. But
Mr. Smith did not discard the spirit of persecu-
tion as the sole property of Mr. Cotton, but car-
ried with him a sufficient quantity of it to distress
and divide his little flock.
Middletown is ten miles below Weathersfield,
and beautifully situated upon the Connecticut,
between two small rivers, one mile asunder,
which is the length of the town and grand street.
Here are an elegant church, with a steeple, bell,
clock, and organ ; and a large meeting without a
steeple. The people are polite, and not much
troubled with that fanatic zeal which pervades
the rest of the colony. The township is ten
miles square, and forms four parishes, one episco-
pal. This and the two preceding towns may be
compared to Chelsea.
The following towns, which lie on Connecticut
river, are so much alike, that a description of onb
will serve for the whole ; viz. Windsor^ East-
Windsor, Glastenhury^ Endjield, Nuffield, Chat-
ham^ Haddam, and East-Haddam. Windsor,
the best, is cut in two by the river Ett, which
wanders from the northward 100 miles through
12*
138 HISTORY OF CONNECTICbT.
various meadows, towns, and villages, and re-
sembles Bedford. Township ten miles square,
forming three parishes. It was settled in 1637,
by the Rev. Mr. Huet and his associates, who fled
from religious slavery in Boston to enjoy the pow-
er of depriving others of liberty.
The following towns, lying back of the river
towns, being similar in most respects, I shall join
also in one class; viz. Hebron, Colchester, Bol-
ton, Tolland, Stafford, and Sommers.
Hebron is the centre of the province ; and it is
remarkable that there are thirty-six towns larger,
and thirty-six less. It is situated between two
ponds, about two miles in length, and one in
breadth ; and is intersected by two small rivers,
one of which falls into the Connecticut, the other
into the Thames. A large meeting stands on a
square, where four roads meet. The town re-
sembles Finchley. The township eight miles
square ; five parishes, one is episcopal. The
number of houses is 400 ; of the inhabitants,
3,200. It pays one part out of seventy- three of
all governmental taxes ; and is a bed of farmers
on their own estates. Frequent suits about the
Indian titles have rendered them famous for their
knowledge in law and self-preservation. In 1740,
Mr. George Whitefield gave them this laconic
character. " Hebron," says he, " is the strong
hold of Satan ; for its people mightily oppose
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 139
the work of the Lord, being more fond of earth
than of heaven."
This town is honored by the residence of the
Rev. Dr. Benjamin Pomeroy ; an excellent scho-
lar, an exemplary gentleman, and a mist thun-
dering preacher of the new-light order. His
great abilities procured him the favor and honor
of being the instructor of Abimeleck, the pre-
sent King of Mohegin. He is of a very perse-
vering, sovereign disposition; but just, polite,
generous, charitable, and without dissimulation.
— ^vis alba.
Here also reside some of the descendants of
William Peters, Esq. already spoken of; among
whom is the Rev. Samuel P«?ters,^ an episco-
pal clergyman, who, by his generosity and zeal
for the Church of England, and loyalty to the
House of Hanover, has rendered himself famous
both in New and Old England, and in some de-
gree made an atonement for the fanaticism and
treasons of his uncle Hugh, and of his ancestor
on his mother's side. Major-general Thomas Har-
rison, both hanged at Charing-Cross in the last
century.
Colchester has to boast of the Rev. John Buck-
ley for its first minister, whose grandfather was
the Rev. Peter Buckley, of Woodhill, in Bedford-
shire, in Old-England ; who, after being silenced
* Supplement, Note Y. ^
140 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
by the Bishop for his misconduct, went to New-
England in 1635, and died at Concord in 1658. —
John Buckley was a great scholar: and, suffering
prudence to govern his hard temper, he concili-
ated the esteem of all parties, and became the or-
nament of the Sobei' Dissenters in Connecticut.
He was a lawyer, a physician, and a divine. He
published an ingenious pamphlet to prove that
the title of the people to their lands was good,
because they had taken them out of the state of
nature. His argument satisfied many who thought
their titles were neither legal, just, nor scriptural:
indeed, it may seem conclusive, if his major pro-
position be granted, That the English found Con-
necticut in a state of nature. His son John was
a lawyer and physician of great reputation, and
was appointed a judge of the superior court very
young. He and his father were suspected to be
not sound in the faith, because they used in their
prayers. From battle and murder, and from sud-
den death, good Lord deliver us, for the sake of
thine only Son, who commands us thus to pray,
Our Father, ^-c. ^^c. Peter Buckley was pos-
sessed of a gentleman's estate in Bedfordshire,
which he sold, and spept the produce among his
servants in Massachusetts-Bay. His posterity in
Colchester, in Connecticut, are very rich, and, till
lately, were held in great esteem ; which, how-
ever, they lost, by conforming to the Church of
England.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. HJ
There is nothing remarkable to be observed of
any of the other towns I have classed with He-
bron, except Stafford, which possesses a mineral
spring that has the reputation of curing the gout^
sterility, pulmony, hysterics, &c. &c. and there-
fore is the New-England Bath, where the sick and
rich resort to prolong life, and acquire the polite
accomplishments.
Herrington, Farmington, and Symsbury, lying
west from Hertford, and on the river Ett, will
finish the county of Hertford.
Herrington is ten miles square, and forms two
parishes.
Farmington resembles Cory don. The town-
ship is fifteen miles square, and forms eight pa-
tishes, three of wliich 5re episcopal. Kere the
meadow land is sold at fifty pounds sterling per
acre.
Simshury^ with its meadows and surrounding
liills, forms a beautiful landscape, much like
Maidstone in Kent. The township is twenty miles
square, and consists of nine parishes, four of which
are episcopal. Here are copper mines. In
working one many years ago, the miners bored
half a mile through a mountain, making large
cells forty yards below the surface, which now
serve as a prison, by order of the General As-
sembly, for such oftenders as they choose not to
hang. The prisoners are let down on a windlass
into this dismal cavern, through a hole, which
142 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
answers the triple purpose of conveying them
food, air, and 1 was going to say light, but it
scarcely reaches them. In a few months the pri-
soners are released by death and the colony re-
joices in her great humanity, and the mildness of
her laws. This conclave of spirits imprisoned
may be called, with great propriety, the cata-
comb of Connecticut. The light of the Sun and
the light of the Gospel are alike shut out from
the martyrs, whose resurrection-state will eclipse
the wonder of that of Lazarus. It has been re-
marked by the candid part of this religious colo-
ny, that the General Assembly and the Consocia-
tion have never allowed any prisoners in the
whole province a chaplain, though they have
spent much of their time and the public money
in spreading the gospel in the neighboring colo-
nies among the Indians, quakers, and episcopa-
lians, and though, at the same time, those reli-
gionists preach damnation to all people who
neglect to attend public worship twice every Sab-
bath, fasting and thanksgiving day, provided they
are appointed by themselves, and not by the
King and Parliament of Great Britain. This well
founded remark has been treated by the zealots
as springing more from malice than policy.
I heir leave to give the following instances of
the humanity and vnildness the province has al-
wayij mai:«lested for the episcopal clergy.
About 1746, the Rev. Mr. Gibbs, of Symsbury,
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 143
refusing to pay a rate imposed for the salary of
Mr Mills, a dissenting minister in the same town,
was, by the collector, thrown across a horse, lash-
ed hands and feet under the creature's bellyj and
carried many miles in that humane manner to
gaol. Mr. Gibbs was half dead when he got
there ; and, though he was released by his church
wardens, who, to save his life, paid the assess-
ment, yet, having taken cold in addition to his
bruises, he became delirious, and has remained in
a state of insanity ever since.
In 1772, the Rev. Mr. Mozley, a missionary
from the Society for the Propagation of the Gos-
pel, at Litchfield, was presented by the grand
jury for marrying a couple belonging to his pa-
rish after the banns were duly published, and con-
sent of parents obtained. The Court mildly
fined Mr. Mozley 20/. because he could not shew
any other license to officiate as a clergyman, than
what he had received from the Bishop of London,
whose authority the Court determined did not ex-
tend to Connecticut, which was a chartered go-
vernment. One of the Judges said, " It is high
time to put a stop to the usurpations of the Bi-
shop of London, and to let him know, that though
his license be lawful, and may empower one of
his curates to marry in England, yet it is not so
in America ; and if fines would not curb them in
this point, imprisonment should."
The second county in the kingdom of Connec-
144 IIISTOHY OF CONNECTICUT.
ticote, and the most mountainous in the whole
province, is Litchfield : which produces abun-
dance of wheat, butter, cheese, iron ore, &c»
and has many iron works, foundcries, and furna-
ces. It contains the following fourteen towns.
Litchfield is watered by two small rivers. An
ele/oant meeting, and a decent court-house, with
steeples and bells, ornament the square, where
three roads meet. The best street is one mile
long. It resembles Dartford. The township is
twelve miles square, and forms five parishes, one of
which is episcopal.
Though Litchfield is the youngest county of
Connecticut, yet, in ITG6, it set an example to the
rest worthy of imitation. The province had al-
ways been greatly pestered by a generation of
men called quacks, who, with a few Indian nos-
trums, a lancet, a glister-pipe, rhubarb, treacle-
water mixed with Roman bombast of ve7ia cava
and vena porta attacked fevers, nervous disor-
ders, and broken bones, and, by the grace of per-
severance, subdued nature, and helped their pa-
tients to a passage to the world of spirits before
they were ready. The surgeons and physicians,
who were not quacks, formed themselves into a
society, for the encouragement of literature and
a regular and wholesome practice. But their
laudable endeavors were discountenanced by the
General Assembly, who refused to comply with
their solicitation for a charter; because the
HISTOKY ov coNNEexicu'r. 145
vjuacks and the people said, " If the charter were
granted, the learned men would become too ticli
by a monopoly, as tiiey had in England." The
answer to this objection was, " Would it not be
better to permit a monopoly to preserve the health
and lives of the peojde, than to suffer quacks to
kill them and ruin the province?" The reply
proved decisive in that fanatical assembly, viz.
" No medicine can be serviceable without the
blessing of God. The quacks never administer
any physic before the minister has prayed for a
blessing ; whereas the learned doctors say, that
the blessing is in their physic, without the pray-
ers of ministers." One doctor proposed the trial
of a dose of arsenic; whether it would not kill
any one who would take it, though twenty minis-
ters should pray against it. He was called a
profane man — the petition was rejected — and
quackery remains triumphant.
JVew-Milford lies on Osootonoc river. A
church and meeting, with steeples and bells,
beautify the town, which resembles Fulham.
The township, twelve miles square, forms five pa-
rishes, of which two are episcopal.
WoQfJhury lies on the same river, and resem-
bles Kentish-Town. The townsijip, twelve miles
square, is divided into seven parishes, three of
them episcopal.
In this town lives the Rev. Dr Bellamy, who
is a good scholar and a great preacher. He has
13
146 IHISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
attempted to shew a more excellent way to hea-
ven than was known before. He may be called
the Jithcnian of Connecticut ; for he has publish-
ed somelhing new to the christian world — Zuin-
glius may learn of him.
The followmg towns lie also on the Osooto-
noc, viz. Sharon, Kent, Salisbury, Aew-Fair-
ficld, Cornwall Goshm, and Cannan; and all of
thi m resemble Finchley. Each township is ten
miles square.
Sharon forms three parishes, one of which is
episcopal. It is much noted on account of a fa-
mous mill, invented and built by Mr. Joel Har-
vey, upon his own estate ; for which he received
a compliment of 2t/. from the Society of Arts in
London. The water, by turning one wheel, sets
the whole in motion. In two apartments wheat is
£jround ; in two others, bolted ; in another thresh-
ed ; in a sixth winnowed : in the seventh, hemp
and flax are beaten, and in the eighth dressed.
Either branch is discontinued at pleasure, with-
out impedijig the rest.
The other towns in Litchfield county are, JVew-
Rertford, Torrington, Ifartland, and fl inchester,
all which lie on the river Ett. The town-
ships are severally about six miles square, and
each forms one parish.
The Kingdom of Quinnitiog constitutes the
Dominion of New-Haven, divided into two coun-
t.es, viz. New-Haven and Fairfield.; these again
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 147
divided into 17 townships, about 12 miles square
each. The number of houses is nearly 10,000,
and that of the inhabitants 60,000.
The county of New-Haven is hilly, and has a
thin soil, enriched, however, by the industry of
its inhabitants. The chief commodities are, flax,
rye, barley, white beans, and salt-hay. It con-
tains eight towns ; four of which lie on the Sound,
and the other on the back of them.
JS^ew-Haven township comprizes fourteen pa-
rishes ; three of thefn episcopal, and one San-
demanian. Tlie town, being the most beauti-
ful in New-England, if not in all America, is en-
titled to a minute description. It is bounded
southerly by the bay into which the river Quinni-
piack empties itself; easterly and westerly, by
two creeks two miles asunder ; and, northerly, by
a lofty mountain, that extends even to the river
St. Lawrence, and forms a highland between the
rivers Hudson and Connecticote ; standing in a
plain three miles by two in extent. This plain is
divided into 300 squares, of the size of Blooms-
bury-square, with streets 20 yards wide between
each division. Forty of these squares are al-
ready built upon, having houses of brick and
wood on eacl) iront, aboiit five yards asunder :
every house vviih a garden tliat provinces vegeta-
bles suffic-ent f>r the famsly. Two hundred
houses are annually erected. Ehiis and button-
trees surround the centre square, wherein are two
1.48 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
meetings, the court-house, the jail, and Latin.
school; — in the fronts of the adjoining squares,
are, Yale College, the chapel, a meeting, and a
church ; — all these grand buildings, with steeples
and bells. The market is plentifully supplied
with every necessary during the whole year, ex-
cepting greens in winter. But the harbor is in-
commoded by flats near the town, of one mile in
width, and by ice in winter. The former evil is,^
hi some measure remedied hy long and expensive
wharves ; but the latter is incurable. The peo-
ple, however, say their trade is greater than that
of Norwicii or New-London; and their shipping,
of different burthens, consists of near 200 sail.
According to Dr. Mather, New-Haven was,
about 1040, t^ have been made a city, the in-
terests of the colony with Cromwell's party being
then very great ; but a wonderful phenomenon
prevented it. As the good Dr. Mather never
wanted faith through the whole course of his
Magnalia, and as the New-Englanders, to the
present time, believe his reports, I will here pre-
sent my readers with the history of this miracle:
" The people of New-Haven fitted out a ship,
and sent her richly laden for England, to procure
a patent for the colony, and a charter for the
city.^ — After the ship had been at sea some weeks,
there happened in New-England a violent storm,
which induced the people of New-Haven to ftist
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 149
and pray, lo inquire of the Lord whether their
ship was in that storm, or not. This was a real
fast; for the people neither eat nor drank from
sun-rise till sun-set. At five o'clock in the after-
noon, they came out of meetings walking softly,
heavily, and sadly, homewards. On a sudden
the air thundered, and the lightnings shone
abroad. They looked up towards the heavens,
when they beheld their ship under full sail, and
the sailors steering her from west to east. She
came over the meeting where they had fasted and
prayed, and then was met by an euroclydon,
which rent the sails, and overset the ship — in a
few moments she fell down near the weather-cock
on the steeple, and instantly vanished. The peo-
ple all returned to the meeting, where the minis-
ter gave thanks to God, for answering the desires
of his servants, and for giving them an infallible
token of the loss of their ship and charter."
This, and divers other miracles which have
happened in New-England, have been, and still
are, useful to the clergy m establishing the peo-
ple in the belief that there is a great familiarity
between God and their ministers. Hence the
ministers govern the superstitious ; whilst the
deacon, the lawyer, and the merchant, for lucre^
wink at the imposition — yet the ministers in their
turn are governed by their abettors.
^ Thou genius of adventure ! that carri-
150 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT,
edst Columbus from eastern to the western shores,
the domain of savage beasts and savage men. now
cursed with the demons of superstition and fana-
ticism, oh ! kindle in no other breast the wish to
seek new worlds : — Africa already mourns, and
Europe trembles !
The true character of Davenport and Eaton,
the leaders of the first settlers of New-Haven,
may be learnt from the following fact : — An Eng-
lish gentleman, of the name of Grigson, coming,
on his travels, to New-Haven, about the year
1644, was greatly pleased with its pleasant situa-
tion ; and, after purchasing a large settlement,
sent to London for his wife and family. But before
their arrival, he found that a charming situation,
without the blessing of religious and civil liberty,
would not render him and his family happy : he
resolved, therefore, to quit the country, and re-
turn to England, as soon as his family should ar-
rive, and accordingly advertised his property for
sale ; when lo ! agreeable to one of the Blue
Laws, no one would buy, because he had not,
and could not obtain liberty of the selectmen to
sell it. The patriotic virtue of the selectmen
thus becoming an insurmountable bar to the sale
of his New-Haven estate, Mr. Grigson made his
will, and bequeathed part of his lands towards the
support of an episcopal clergyman, who should
reside in that town, and the residue to his own
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 151
heirs. Having deposited his will in the hands of
a friend, he set sail, with his family, for England,
but died on his passage. This friend proved the
will, and had it recorded, but died also soon
after. The record was dexterously concealed by
glueing two leaves together; and, after sonne
years, the select men sold the whole estate to
pay taxes, though the rent of Mr. Grigson's house
alone in one year would pay the taxes for ten.
Some persons, hardy enough to exclaim against
this glaring injustice, were soon silenced, and ex-
pelled the town. In 1750, an episcopal clergy-
man was settled in New-Haven ; and, having
been informed of Grigson's will, applied to the
town clerk for a copy, who told him there was no
such w^ill on record, and withal refused him the
liberty of searching. In 1768, Peter Harrison,
Esq. from Nottinghamshire, in England, the
King's collector of New-Haven, claimed his right
of searching public records ; and being a stranger,
and not supposed to have any knowledge of
Grigson's will, obtained his demand. The alpha-
bet contained Grigson's name, and referred to a
page which was not to be found in the book.
Mr. Harrison supposed it to have been torn out ;
but, on a closer examination, discovered one leaf
much thicker than the others. He put a corner of
the thick leaf in his mouth, and soon found it was
composed of two leaves, which with much diffi-
culty having separated, he found Grigson's will !
152 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
To make sure of the work, he took a copy of it
himself, and then called the clerk to draw and at-
test another; which was done. Thus furnished,
Mr. Harrison instantly applied to the selectmen,
and demanded a surrender of the land which be-
longed to the church, but which they as prompt-
ly refused ; whereupon Mr. Harrison took out
writs of ejectment against the possessors. As
might be expected, Mr. Harrison, from a good
man, became, in ten days, the worst man in the
world ; but, being a generous and brave English-
man, he valued not their clamors and curses, tliough
they terrified the gentlemen of the law. Harri-
son was obliged to be his own lawyer, and boldly
declared he expected to lose his cause in New-
England ; but after that he would appeal, and
try it, at his own expense, in Olcj England, where
justice reigned. The good people, knowing Har-
rison did not get his bread by their votes, and
that they could not bafile him, resigned the lands
to the church x)n that gentleman's own terms ;
which in a few years will support a clergyman i-n
a very genteel manner. The honest selectmen
yet possess the other lands, though report says
Mr. Grigson has an heir of his own name, residing
near Holborn, in London, who inherits the vir-
tues of his ancestor, and ought to inherit his
estate.
The sad and awful discovery of Mr. Grigson^s
will, after having been concealed above one hun~
HISTORY OF CGXNECTICUT. 153
tired years, would have confounded any people
but those of New-Haven, who study nothing but
religion and liberty. Those pious souls consoled
themselves by comparison : " We are no worse,"
said they, " than the people of Boston and Wind-
ham county." The following fnct will explaia
this justification of the saints of Nevv-ilaven.
In 17^0, Mrs. Currette, an English lady, travel-
ling from New-York to Boston, was obliged to
stay some days at Hebron; where, seeing the
church not finisijod, and the people suffering great
persecutions, she told them to persevere in their
good work, and she would send them a present
when she got to Boston. Soon after her arrival
there, Mrs. Cursette fell sick and died. In, her
will she gave a legacy of oOGt. old tenor, (then
equal to lOOZ. sterling) to the church of England
in Hebron ; and appointed John Hancock, Esq.
and Nathaniel Glover, her executors. Glover
was also her residuary legatee. Tlie will was
obliged to be recorded in Windham county, be-
cause some of Mrs. Cursette's lands lay there.
Glover sent the will by Deacon S. H , of
Canterbury, ordering him to get it recorded, and
keep it private, lest the legacy should build up
the church. The Deacon and Register were
fait:iful lo their trustj and kept Glover's secret
twenty 'five y ems At length the Deacon was ta-
ken ill, and his life was supposed in great danger.
Among his penitential confessions, he told of his.
154 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
V
having concealed Mrs. Cursette's will. His con-
fident went to Hebron, and informed the wardens,
that for one guinea he would discover a secret of
SOOl. old tenor consequence to the Church. 1 he
guinea was paid and the secret disclosed. A de-
mand of the legacy ensued. Mr. Hancock re-
ferred to Glover, and Glover said he was neither
obliged to publish the will, nor pay the legacy:
it had lapsed to the heir at law. It being difficult
for a Connecticut man to recover a debt in the
Massachusetts-Bay, and vice versa, the wardens
were obliged to accept from Mr. Glover 301. in-
stead of 30C/. sterling; which sum, allowing 200/.
as lawful simple interest at six per cent, for
twenty-five years, ought in equity to have been
paid. This matter, however, Mr. Glover is to
settle with Mrs. Cursette in the other world.
New-Haven is celebrated for having given the
name of pumpkin-heads to all the New-Engl a nd-
ers. It originated from the Blue Laws, which
enjoin every male to have his hair cut round bj
a cap. When caps were not to be had, they sub-
stituted the hard shell of a pumpkin, which being
put on the head every Saturday, the hair is cut by
the shell all round the head. Whatever religious
virtue is supposed to be derived from this custom,
I know not; but there is much prudence in it:
first, it prevents the hair from snarling; — second-
ly, it saves the use of combs, bags, alid ribbons ;
-^-thirdly, the hair cannot incommode the eyes by
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
METHOD OF TUII»IMING HAIR,
In accordance with the Blue Laws of Connecticut.
(Page 154.)
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 155
falling over them ; — and, fourthly, such persons
as have lost their ears for heresy, and other wick-
edness, cannot conceal their misfortune and dis-
grace.
Cruelty and godliness were, perhaps, never so
well reconciled by any people, as by those of
New-Haven, who are alike renowned for both.
The unhappy story of Deacon Potter has eter-
nized the infamy of their Blue Laws, and almost
annexed to their town the name of Sodom. The
Deacon had borne the best of characters many
years ; he was the peacemaker, and an enemy to
persecution ; but he was grown old, was rich, and
had a young wife. His young wife had an incli-
nation for a young husband, and had waited with
impatience for the death of her old one, till at
length, resolving, if possible, to accelerate the
attainment of her wishes, she complained to the
Magistrate, that her husband did not render her
due benevolence. The judge took no notice of
what she said. She then swore that her husband
was an apostate; and that he was fonder of his
mare, bitch, and cow, than of her : in which alle-
gation she was joined by her f^on. The Deacon
was brought to his trial, condemned, executed
with the beasts, and with them also buried in one
common grave. Dr. Mather, with his usual
quantity ol faith, speaks of the Deacon as verily
guilty, as having had a fair, legal, and candid trial,
and convicted on good and scriptural evidence.
156 HJStORY OF CONNECTICUT.
t am willing to allow the Doctor as much sinceri-
ty as faith. He had his information from the
party who condemned the Deacon ; but there are
manuscripts, which I have seen, thai state the
matter thus: — Deacon Potter was hanged for
heresy and apostacy, which consisted in shewing
hospitality to strangers, who came to his house in
the night, among whom were Quakers, Anabap-
tists, and Adamites. This was forbidden by the
Blue Laws, which punished for the first and se-
cond offence with lines, and with death for the
third. His wife and son betrayed him for hiding
the spies, and sending them away in peace. The
court was contented with calling his complicated
crimes beastiality; his v idow, with a new hus-
band; and the son, with the estate ; while the pub-
lic were deceived by the arts of a wicked junto.
I have related this story to shew the danger of
admitting a wife to give evidence against her
husband, according to the Blue Laws; and to
caution all readers against crediting too much the
historians of New-England, who, either from mo-
tives of fear or emolument, have, in numberless
instances, designedly disguised or concealed the
truth. Such persons, whose stubborn principles
would not bend to this yoke, were not suiTered to
search the colonial records; and those who have
dared to intimate that all was not right among
the first settlers, have been compelled to leave
HISTORY OF CONNECTlCUt. lot
the country with the double loss of character and
property.
To New-Haven now belongs Yale College, of
which I have promised my readers a particular
account. It was originally, as already mention-
ed, a school, established by the Rev. Thomas
Peters, at Saybrook, who left it his library at hi*
death. It soon acquired the distinguishing ap^
pellation of Schola Illustris ; and, about t^OO,
was honored by the General Assembly with a
charter of incorporation, converting it into a col-
lege, under the denomination of Yak College, in
compliment to a gentleman of that name, gover-
nor of one of the West-India islands, and its
greatest benefactor. The charter constitutes a
president, three tutors, twelve overseers, and a
treasurer; and exempts it from any visitation of
the Governor or Assembly, in order to secure it
against the control of a King's Governor, in case
one should ever be appointed. I have already
observed, that a power of conferring Bachelors
and Master's degrees was granted by the charter;
and that the corporation have thought proper tj
assume that of conferring Doctor's degrees. By
the economical regulations of the College, there
are, a professor in divinity, mathematics, and natu-
ral philosophy ; and four classes of students,
which were at first attended by the president and
the three tutors; but the president has long been
excused that laborious task, and a fourth tutor
14
158 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
appointed in his stead. Each class has its proper
tutor. Once a week the president examines them
all in the public hall, superintends their disputa-
tions and scientific demonstrations, and, if any
student appears to be negligent, orders him under
the care of a special tutor; a stigma which sel-
dom fails of producing its intended efiect. Greek,
Latin, Geography, History, and Logic, are well
tauo"ht in this seminary ; but it suffers for want of
tutors to teach the Hebrew, French, and Spanish
languages. Oratory, music, and politeness, are
equally neglected here and in the colony. The
students attend prayers every morning and eve-
ning, at six o'clock. The president, professor,
or one of the tutors, reads and expounds a chap-
ter; then a psalm is sung, after which follows a
prayer. This finished, each class repairs to its
tutor. The hours of study are notified by the
college bell, and every scholar seen out of his
room is liable to a fine, which is seldom excused.
The amusements for the evenings are, not cards,
dancing, or music, but reading and composition.
They are allowed two hours play with the foot-
ball every day. Thus cooped up for four years,
they understand books better than men or man-
ners. Tiiey then are admitted to their Bachelor's
degree, having undergone a public examination
in the arts and sciences. Three years afterwards
they are admitted to their Master's degree, pro-
vided they have supported moral characters.
HISTORV OF CONNECTICUT. 159
The ceremony used by the president on these oc-
casions is to deliver a book to the intended Mas-
ter in Arts, saying, "Adniitto te ad secundum
Gradum in Artibus, pro more Academiarum in
Anglia ; tradoque tibi hunc librum, una cum po-
testate publice prselegendi quotiescunque ad hoc
munus evocatus fueris." For Bachelors the same,
mutatis mutandis. A diploma on vellum with
the seal of the college is given to each Master,
and signed by the president and six fellows or
overseers. The first degrees of Masters were
given in 1702. The students of late years have
amounted to about ISO. They dine in the com-
mon-hall at four tables, and the tutors and gradu-
ates at a fifth. The number of the whole is
about 200.
Yale College is built with wood, and painted of
a sky color; is 160 feet long, and three stories
high, besides garrets. In 1754, another building,
of brick, 100 feet long, and also three stories .
high, exclusive of the garrets, with double rooms,
and a double front, was added, and called Con-
necticut Hall. About 1760, a very elegant chap-
el and library were erected, with brick, under
one roof. But it cannot be supposed the latter is
to be compared with the Vatican or the Bodleian,
It consists of eiglit or ten tfjousand volumes in
all branches of literature, but wants modern
books; though thee is a tolerable sufiiciency, if
the corporation would permit what they call
160 HISTORY OP CONNECTICUT.
Bishop's and Arminian books to be read. Ames's
Medulla is allowed, while Grotius de Veritate
Religionis is denied. It was lately presented
with a new and valuable apparatus for experi-
mental philosophy. The whole library and ap-
paratus were given by various persons, chiefly
English.
The General Assembly have endowed this col-
lege with large tracts of land, which, duly culti-
vated, will soon support the ample establishment
of an University; but, even at present, I may
truly say, Yale College exceeds in the number,
and perhaps in the learning, of its scholars, all
others in British America.
This seminary was, in 1717, removed from Say-
brook to New-Haven ; the extraordinary cause
of which transition, I shalj here lay before the
reader.
Saybrook dominion had been settled by Puri-
tans of some moderation and decency. They
had not joined with Massachusetts-Bay, Hertford,
and New-Haven, in sending home agents to as-
sist in the murder of Charles I. and the subver-
sion of the Lords and Bishops : — they had receiv-
ed Hooker's heretics, and sheltered the apostates
from Davenport's millenarian system : — they had
shewn an inclination to be dependent on the
mother country, and had not wholly anathema-
tized the church of England. In short, the peo-
ple of Hertford and New-Haven suspected ths^t
HISTORY or CONNECTICUT. 161
Saybrook was not truly protestaiit ; that it had a
passion for the leeks and onio. s of Es;ypt ; and
thnt the youth belonging to them in the Schola
Illustris were in great danger of imbibing its
lukewarmness. A vote, therefore, passed at
Hertford, to remove the college to Weathersfield,
where the leeks and onions of Egypt would not
be thought of; and another at New-Haven,
that it should be removed to that town, where
Christ had established his dominion from sea to
sea, and where he was lo begin his millenariau
reign. About 1715, Hertford, in order to carry
its vote into execution, prepared teams, boats,
and a mob, and privately set off for Saybrook,
and seized upon tiie college apparatus, library,
and students, and carried all to Weathersfield.
This redoubled the jealousy of the saints at New-
Haven, who thereupon determined to fulfil their
vote; and, accordingly, having collected a mob
sufficient for their enterprize, they set out for
Weathersfield, where they seized by surprise the
students, library, (fee. &c. But on the road to
New-Haven they were overtaken by the Hertford
mob, who, however, after an unhappy battle,
were obliged to retire with only part of the libra-
ry and part of the students. Hence sprung two
colleges out of one. The quarrel increased daily,
every body expecting a war more bloody than
that of Sassacus ; and, no doubt, such would have
been the case, had not the peace-makers of Mas-
14*
162 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
sachusetts-Bay interposed with their usual friend-
ship, and advised their dear friends of Hertford to
give up the college to New-Haven. This was ac-
cordingly done in 1717, to the great joy of the
crafty Massachusetts, who always greedily seek
their own prosperity, though it ruin their best
neighbors. The college being thus fixed forty
miles farther west from Boston than it was before,
tended greatly to the interest of Harvard College :
for Saybrook and Hertford, out of pure grief '^
sent their sons to Harvard, instead of the college
at New-Haven. This quarrel continued till 1764,
when it subsided in a grand continental consocia-
tion of ministers, which met at New-Haven to
consult the spiritual good of the Mohawks and
other Indian tribes, the best method of preserving
the American vine, and the protestant, indepen-
dent liberty of America: — a good preparatory to
rebellion against Great B/itain.f
The Rev. Mr. Naphthali Daggett is the fourth
president of Yale i'ollege since its removal to
New-Haven. He is an excellent Greek and La-
tin scholar, and reckoned a good Calvinistic di-
vine. Though a stranger to European politeness,
yet, possessing a mild temper and affable disposi-
tion, the exercise of his authority is untinctured
with haughtiness. Indeed, he seems to have too
*Pure g-We/* means, in New-England, anger and revenge.
S Supplement, Note Z.
HISTORY OF CONfTECTICUT. 163
Hiuch candor, and too little bigotry, to please
the corporation, and retain his post, many years.
The Rev. Mr. Nehemiah Strong, the college
professor, is also of an amiable temper, and merits
the appointment.
Were the corporation less rigid, and more in-
clined to tolerate some reasonable amusements
and polite accomplishments among the youth,
they would greatly add to the fame and increase
of the college ; and the students would not be
known by every stranger to have been educated
in Connecticut. The disadvantage under which
they at present appear, from the want of address,
is much to be regretted.
Branford, Guilford, and Milford, are much
alike.
Guilford is laid out in squares, after the man-
ner of New-Haven, twenty of which are built
upon. The church and two meetings stand on
the centre square. One of the meetings is very
grand, with a steeple, bell, and clock. The pa-
rishes in it are eight, three of them episcopal.
This town gave birth to the Reverend Samuel
Johnson, D. D., who was the first episcopal min-
ister in Connecticut, and the first president of
King's College in New-York. He was educated
and became a tutor in the college at Saybrook;
was an ornament to his native country, and much
esteemed for his humanity and learning.
The Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, in a sermon
164 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
he preached in the great meeting, gave the cha-
racter of the people of Guilford in 174u, His
text was, Anoint mine eyes with eye-salve. Af-
ter pointing out what was not the true eye-salve,
he said, "I will tell you what is the true eye-
salve : — it is faith — it is grace — it is simplicity —
it is virtue Ah, Lord ! where can they be
found ? — Perhaps not in this grand assembly."
I have frequently quoted the Rev. Mr George
Whitefield, — without that ludicrous intention
which, possibly, tiie reader may suspect me of. I
admire his general character, his great dibcern-
ment, his knowledge of mankind, his piety, his
goodness of heart, his generosity, and hatred oi
persecution, though I think his zeal was some-
times too fervent. I ever viewed him as an in-
strument of heaven, as the greatest Boanarges and
blessing America ever knew. He turned the
profligate to God ; he roused the lukewarm chris-
tian ; he tamed the wild fanatic, and made T'elix
tremble. It is true, he has also made wise men
mad ; but this is tfie natural effect of the word,
which is t!ie savor of life and the savor of death
at one and the same time. New-England, before
his coming, was but the slaughter-house for here-
tics. He was admired by the oppressed episco-
palians, the trembling quakers, the bleeding bap-
tists. &c. &c. He was f(>llowed by all sects and
parties, except the Sober Dissenters, who thoui-"ht
their craft in danger. He mdida peace where was
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 165
no peace', and even his enemies praised him in
the gate. Whitefield did what could not have
been done without the aid of an omnipotent arm j
he planted charity in New-England, of which the
increase has been a thousand fold. He is landed
where the wicked cease from troubling; where
his works of fiaith, love, and charity, clothe him;
and where the Glory of Eternity blesses him with
a welcome ineffably transporting. May his vir-
tues be imitated, his imperfections forgiven, and
his happiness obtained by all !
TVallingford, Durham, Waterbury, and Derby,
finish the county of New-Haven. — Wallingford
is the best of the four : it lies on Quinnipiack ri-
ver, and forms eight parishes, two of which are
episcopal. The Town-street is one mile long,
and the houses stand pretty thick on boih sides.
The church, and two meetings, one with a stee-
ple, bell, and clock, stand in the middle of the
street. — The grave stones point out the charac-
ters of the first settlers. An extract from one
follows :
" Here lies the bodj^ of Corporal Moses Atwater, who
left England in 16G0, to enjoy liberty of conscience in a
howling wilderness."
The second county in the kingdom of Quinni-
piog is Fairfield. It is situated west of Osootonoc
river, and contains nine townships : five of which
lie on the sea, and resemble one another ; and on
166 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
the back of them are situated the four others,
which also have a mutual resemblance. The
soil is rich and uneven : the chief productions,
excellent wheat, salt-hay, and flax. Those town-
ships which lie on the sea, are Fairfield, JVbr-
walk, Stamford, Greenwich and Stratford. This
last I shall describe.
Stratford lies on the west bank of Osootonoc
river, having the sea or Sound on the south.
There are three streets running north and south,
and ten east and west. The best is one mile
long. On the centre square stand a meeting
with a steeple and a bell, and a church with a
steeple, bell, clock, and organ. It is a beautiful
place, and from the water has an appearance not
inferior to that of Canterbury. Of six parishes
contained in it, three are episcopal. The people
are said to be the most polite of any in the colo-
ny, owing to the singular moderation of the town
in admitting latterly, Europeans to settle among
them. Many persons come also from the islands,
and southern provinces, for the benefit of their
health.
Here was erected the first episcopal church in
Connecticut. A very extraordinary story is told
concerning the occasion of it, which I shall give
the reader the particulars of, the people being as
sanguine in their belief of it as they are of the
ship's sailing over New-Haven.
An ancient religious rite called the Pawwaw^
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.- 167
was annually celebrated by the Jndians ; and
commonly lasted several hours every night for
two or three weeks. About 1690, they convened
to perform it on Stratford point, near the town.
During the nocturnal ceremony, the English saw,
or imagined they saw, devils rise out of the sea,
wrapped up in sheets of flame, and flying round
the Indian camp, while the Indians were scream-
ing, cutting, and prostrating themselves before
their supposed fiery gods. In the midst of the
tumult, the devils darted in among them, seized
several, and mounted with them into the air; the
cries and groans issuing from whom quieted the
rest. In the morning, the limbs of Indians, all
shrivelled, and covered with sulphur, were found
in different parts of the town. Astonished and
terrified at these spectacles, the people of Strat-
ford began to think the devils would take up their
abode among them, and called together all the
ministers in the neighborhood, to exorcise and
lay them. The ministers began and carried oa
their warfare with prayer, hymns, and abjuration ;
but the pawwaws continued, and the devils would
not obey. The inhabitants were about to quit
the town, when Mr. Nell spoke and said, '-I
would to God that Mr. Visey, the episcopal mi-
nister at New- York, was here ; for he would ex-
pel these evil spirits." They lau-hed at his ad-
vice ; but, on his reminding them of the little
maid who directed Naaman to a cure for his lep-
168 HISTORY OF CONJSiiCTICi;^.
rosy, they vot» d him their permission to bring
Mr. Visey at the next pavvwavv. Mr. Visey at-
tended accordingly, and as the pawwaw com-
menced with howlings and whoops, Mr. Visey
read portions of the holy scripture, litany, &c.
The sea was put into great motion ; the pawwaw
stopped ; the Indians dispersed ; and never more
held a pawwaw in Stratford. The iaiiabitants
were struck with wonder at tliis event, and held a
conference todiscover the rea<=on why the devils and
powwawers hiul obeyed the prayers of one minister,
and had paid no regard to those of titty. Some
thought that the reading the holy scripture, others
that the litany and Lord's prayer, — some, again,
that the episcopal power of the minister, and
others that all united were the means of obtain-
ing the heavenly blessing they had received.
Those who believed that the h';ly scriptures and
litany were effectual Hgainst the devil and his
legions, declared for the church of England ;
while the majority ascribed their deliverance to a
complot between the devil and the episcopal mi-
nister, with a view to overthrow Christ's vine
planted in New-England. Each party acted with
more zeal than prudence. The church, h(>wever,
increased, though oppressed by more persecu-
tions and calamities, than were ever experienced
by puritans from bishops and pawwawers. Even
the use of the bible, the Lord's prayer, the litany,
#r any part of the prayer book was forbidden ;
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
REV. MK. VICEY,
The Episcopal Minister, laying the Indian Powwaw at
Stratford.
(Page 168.)
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 169
nay, ministers taught from their pulpits, according
to the Blue Laws, " that the lovers of Zion had
better put their ears to the mouth of hell, and
learn from the whispers of the devils, than read
the bishops' books;" while the churchmen, like
Michael the archangel contending with the devil
about the body of Moses, dared not bring against
them a railing accusation. But this was not all.
When the episcopalians had collected timber for
a church, they found the devils had not left the
town, but only changed their habitations — had
left the savages and entered into fanatics and
wood. In the night before the church was to be
begun, the timber set up a country-dance, skip-
ping about, and flying in the air, with as much
agility and sulphurous stench as ever the devils
had exhibited around the camp of the Indian
pawwawers. This alarming circumstance would
have ruined the credit of the church, had not the
episcopalians ventured to look into the phenome-
non, and found the timber to have been bored
with augurs, charged with gun powder, and fired
off by matches : — a discovery, however, of bad
consequence in one respect — it has prevented the
annalists of New-England from publishing this
among the rest of their miracles. About 1720,
the patience and sufferings of the episcopalians,
who were then but a handful, procured them
some frjpndi^ ev n atnong their pf^rsecutors ; and
those friends condemned the cruelty exercised
15
170 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
over the churchmen, quakers, and anabaptists, in
consequence of which, they first felt the eflects
of those gentle weapons, the New-England whis-
perings and backbitings ; and at length were
openly stigmatised as Arminians and enemies of
the American vine. This conduct of the Sober
Dissenters increased the grievous sin of modera-
tion ; and near twenty of their ministers, at the
head of whom was Dr Cutler, president of Yale
College, declared, on a public Commencement,
for the church of England. Hereupon, the Ge-
neral Assembly and Consociation, finding their
commi nations likely to blast the American vine,
instantly had recourse to flattery, larded over with
tears and promises, by which means they reco-
vered all the secessors, but four, viz. Dr. Cutler,
Dr. Johnson, Mr. Whitmore, and Mr. Brown, who
repaired to England for holy orders. Dr. Cutler
had the misfortune to spend his life and great
abilities in the fanatical, ungrateful, and factious
town of Boston, where he went through fiery
trials, shining brighter and brighter, till he was
delivered from New-England persecution, and
landed where the wicked cease from troubling. —
Dr. Johnson, from his natural disposition, and n )t
for the sake of gain, took pity on the neglected
church at Stratford, where for fifty years he fought
the beast of Ephesus with great success.^ The
* Supplement, Note (a)
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 171
Doctor was under the bountiful protection of the
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in fo-
reign parts, incorporated by William III. to save
from the rage of republicanism, heathenism, and
fanaticism, all such members of the church of
England as were settled in our American colo-
nies, factories, and plantations, beyond the sea.
To the foresight of that monarch, to the generous
care and protection of that society, under God,
are owing all the loyalty, decency, Christianity
undefiled with blood, which glimmer in New-
England. Dr. Johnson having settled at Strat-
ford among a nest of zealots, and not being as-
sassinated, other dissenting ministers were in-
duced to join themselves to the church of Eng-
land, among whom were Mr. Beach and Mr.
Punderson. Those gentlemen could not be
wheedled oft* by the Assembly and Consociation ;
they persevered, and obtained names among the
Literati that will never be forgotten.*
The four remaining towns of Fairfield county,
viz. JVewtoivn, Reading, Banhury, and Ridgefield,
lie behind the towns on the sea. I shall describe
the best of them, which is
Banbury. It has much the appearance of
Croydon ; and forms five parishes, one of which
is episcopal, and another Sandemanian ; a third
is called Bastard Sandemanian, because the mi-
Supplement, Note(b) and (c]
172 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
nister refuses to put away his wife, who is a se-
cond wife. This town was the residence, and is
now the tomb, of the learned and ingenious Rev.
Mr. Sandeman, well known in the literary world.
He was the fairest and most candid Calvinist that
ever wrote in the English language, allowing the
natural consequences of all his propositions. He
taught that a bishop must be the husband of one
wife : that is, he must be married before he was
ordained ; and, if he lost iiis wife, he could not
marry a second : that a Bishop might dress with
ruffles, a red coat and sword : that all the converted
brothers and sisters, at their coming into church,
ought to salute with an holy kiss : that all true
christians would obey their earthly king : for
which tenets, especially the last, the Sober Dis-
senters of Connecticut held him to be a heretic.
It is strikingly remarkable, that near one half
of the people of the dominion of New-Haven are
episcopalians, though it was first settled by the
most violent of puritans, who claimed so much
liberty to themselves that they left none for oth-
ers. The General Assembly computed that the
church of England professors amounted to one
third of the whole colony in 1770. Hence has
arisen a question, how it came to pass, that the
church of England increased rapidly in Connecti-
cut, and but slowly in Massachusetts-Bay and
Rhode-Island ? The reason appears obvious to
me. It is easier to turn fanatical farmers trow
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 173
their bigotry, than to convert fanatical merchants,
smugglers, and fishermen. Pride and gain pre-
vent the two first, and ignorance the last, from
ivorshipping the Lord in the heauty of holiness.
The General Assembly of Rhode Island ne-
ver supported any religion ; nay, lest religion
should chance to prevail, they made a law that
every one might do what was right in his own
eyes, with this proviso, that no one should be
holden to pay a note, bond, or vote, made or
given to support the Gospel. Thus, barbarism,
inhumanity, and infidelity, must have over-run the
colony, had not its good situation for trade in-
vited Europeans to settle therein. As to the
people of Massacfmsetts-Bay, they, indeed, had
the highest pretensions to religion ; but then it
was so impregnated with chicane, mercantile
policy, and insincerity, that infidelity got the bet-
ter of fanaticism, and religion was secretly looked
upon as a trick of state. Connecticut was settled
by people who preferred the arts and sciences to
the amusements which render Europe polite ;
whence it has happened that there t>oysand girls
are at once amused and improved with reading,
writing, and cyphering, every winter's night,
whilst those in the neighboring colonies polish
themselves at cards, balls, and masquerades. In
Connecticut, zeal, though erroneous is sincere;
each sect believes religion to be a substantial
good ; and fanaticism and prejudice have turned
15*
174 HISTORY OP CONNEGTICUgr.
it into superstition, which is stronger than reason
or the laws of humanity. Thus, it is very obser-
vable, that, when any persons conform to the
church of England, they leave neither their su-
perstition nor zeal at the meetings ; they retrench
only fanaticism and cruelty, put on bowels of
mercy, and pity those in error. It should be
added, that every town in the colony is by law
obliged to support a grammar-school, and every
parish an English school. From experience, there-
fore, I judge, that superstition with knowledge and
sincerity, is more favorable to religion than su-
perstition with ignorance and insincerity; and that
it is for this reason the Church thrives in Con-
necticut, and exists only in the other New-Eng-
land provinces. In further support of my opin-
ion, I shall recite the words of the Rev. Mr.
George Whitfield, in his first tour through Ame-
rica, in 1740. He then found the people of Con-
necticut wise in polemical divinity, and told them
that much learning had made them mad ; that he
wished to leave them with ''■sleep on and take
your rest in the Bible, in Baxter, Gouge, and
Bunyan, without the knowledge of Bishop's
books."
Persons who suppose churchmen in Connecti-
cut possessed of less zeal and sincerity than the
various sects among the dissenters, are under a
mistake ; for they have voluntarily preferred the
church under every human discouragement, and
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 175
suffered persecution rather than persecute. Con-
ducting themselves upon this truly christian,
though impolitic principle, they have, in the space
of sixty years, humanized above sixty thousand
puritans, who had ever been hating and perse-
cuting one another; and though the General As-
sembly and Consociation are alarmed at the pro-
gress of christian moderation, yet many individu-
als among them, perceiving that pers?ecut5on
declines wherever the church prevails, bless God
for its growth ; whilst the rest, more zealous for
dominion, and the politics of their ancestors the
regicides, than for the gospel of peace and love,
compass sea and land to export and diffuse that
intolerant spirit which overthrew the eastern
church, and has cursed the western. For this
purpose they have sent New-England ministers
as missionaries to the southern colonies, to rouse
them out of their religious and political igno-
rance; and, what is very astonishing, they suc-
ceeded best with the episcopal clergy, whose im-
morality, vanity, or love of self government, or
some less valuable principle, induced them to
join the dissenters of New-England against an
American Bishop, from a pure intention, they
said, of preserving the church of England in
America. If their reward be not pointed out in
the fable of the Fox and Crane, they will be more
fortunate than most men. Other missionaries
were dispersed among the Six Nations of Indians,
176 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
who were under the care of the clergy and school-
masters of the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel- There, for a time, wonders were eHect-
ed ; the Indians were made drunk with zeal. But
when their fanaticism was abated, they cursed the
protestant religion, and ordered the ministers of
all denominations to depart out of their country
in a fixed time, on pain of death. Another band
of saints went to Nova-Scotia, to convert the un-
converted under the clergy appointed by the
Bishop of London ; among whom, however, meet-
ing with little encouragement, they shook off
the dust of their feet against them, and returned
home. These peregrinations, the world was
taught to believe, were undertaken solely to ad-
vance the interests of religion ; but righteousness
and PEACE have not yet kissed each other in New-
England ; and, besides, the pious pretences of
the Sober Dissenters ill accorded with their bitter
revilings of the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel, for sending clergymen to promote the
spiritual good of the churchmen among them.
It is worthy of especial notice, that, among all
the episcopal clergy hitherto settled in Connecti-
cut, only one of them has been accused, even by
their enemies, of a scandalous life, or of any vio-
lation of the moral law. They have exercised
more patience, resignation, and self-denial, under
their various trials, fatigues, and oppressions,
than can be paralleled elsewhere in the present
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 177
century. The countenance of the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, and an
allowance of about 650/ per annum between
eighteen of them, have proved the means of avert-
ing from the professors of the church of England
that rigor which has constantly marked tlie con-
duct of the General Assembly and Consociation
towards anabaptists, quakers, &c. &c. Had the
bishops shewn as much concern for the welfare of
the church of England in America as the Society
has done, they would have prevented many re-
proaches being cast upon them by the dissenters
as hireling shepherds, and have secured the af-
fections of the American clergy, in every pro-
vince, to themselves, to their King, and the Bri-
tish government. If the religion of the church
of England ought to have been tolerated and
supported in America, (which, considering the
lukewarmness of the bishops in general, even
since the Restoration of Charles II. seems to have
been a dubious point,) policy and justice should
long ago have induced the King anid Parliament
of Great Britain to have sent bishops to America,
that churchmen at least might have been upon an
equal footing with dissenters. Against American
bishops 1 have never heard of any objection,
either from the dissenters, or the episcopal clergy
south of the Delaware river, so powerful as the
following, " That the churcl* of England increa-
ses in America, without bishops, faster than i%
mt>
178 HISTORY OP CONNECTICUT.
does in England, where are bishops to spare. '^
If the dissenters in America err not in advancing
as a fact, that since 1715, the church of England
under bishops has been upon the decline, and the
protestant dissenters upon the increase, in Eng-
land ; it may be but natural to suppose that the
dissenters in America wish to have the English
bishops resident there, and the dissenters in Eng-
land to retain them, as they appear to be so be-
neficial towards the growth of the dissenting
interest here : and so the dissenters in both coun-
tries disputing about the residence of the bishops,
merely because the absence of them is disadvan-
tageous to the one, and their presence advanta-
geous to the other, would it not be the best way
of strengthening the interest of both those parties,
and weakening that of the church of England, to
retain half the bishops in England, and send the
other half to America ? Against this plan, surelyj
jio dissenter could object : it will neither add to
the national expense, nor to the disadvantage of
England or America; since it promises to be
equally serviceable to the protestant dissenting
interest on both sides the Atlantic, and will re-
concile a difference between the protestant dis-
senters that has been supposed in New-England
to be the reason of bishops not being sent to
above one million of episcopalians in America,
who are left like sheep in a wilderness without a
shepherd, to the great danger of the protestant
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 179
dissenting religion in those parts. Nor can it be
apprehended that this plan of dividing the bishops
will meet with the disapprobation of the episco-
palians, except a few licentious clergymen in the
American southern colonies, who dread their
Lordships' sober advice and coercive power.
Of all the wonders of the English church, the
greatest is, that the rulers of it should hold epis-
copacy to be an institution of Christ, and that the
Gospel is to be spread among all nations, and, at
the same time, should refuse the American
churchmen a bishop, and the fanatics and hea-
then all opportunities of enjoying the Gospel dis-
pensation in the purity and lusture with which it
shines in tlie mother-country. If bishops are ne-
cessary, let America have them ; if they are not
necessary, let them be extirpated from the face of
the earth : for no one can be an advocate for their
existence merely for the support of pomp, pride,
and insolence, either in England or America.
The English and Dutch have always kept their
colonies under a state of religious persecution,
while the French and Spaniards have acted with
generosity in that respect towards theirs. The
Dutch presbyterians in New-York were held in
subordination to the classis of Amsterdam, till a
few years since, tiiey discovered that subjection
to be anti-constitutional and oppressive ; upon
which a majority of the ministers, in tlieir coetus,
erected a classis for the ordination of ministers,.
180 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
and the government of their churches, in defi-
ance of the ecclesiastical judicatory at Amster-
dam. Mr. Smith, in his History of that province,
p. 252, justifies this schism upon the following
ground : "The expense," says he, " attending the
ordination of their candidates in Holland, and the
reference of their disputes to the classis of Am-
sterdam, is very considerable; and with what
consequences, the interruption of their corres-
pondence with the European Dutch would be at-
tended, in case of a war, well deserves their con-
sideration." Nevertheless, Mr. Smith aojrees
with his protestant dissenting neighbours, that
the American episcopalians suffered no hardship
in being obliged to incur the same expense in
crossing the Atlantic for ordination. If the
Dutch are justifiable in their schism, I cannot
perceive why the American episcopalians might
not be justified in a like schism from the bisl.up
of London. Had the episcopalians as little aver-
sion to schism as the protestant dissenters, the
clergy north of the Delaware would, in .765,
have got rid of their regard for an English, and
accepted of a Greek bishop, whom they could
have supported for half the expense tlieir candi-
dates were at in going to England for ordination.
But they were said by some to be conscientious
men, while others said they were Issaciiafs sons.
Couching doion lencath their burthens.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 181
To proceed in my description of the coun-
try :—
Connecticut is situated between 41 and 42
deg. N. lat. and between 72 and 73 deg. 50 min.
W. long, from London. Notwithstanding, from
this latitude, New-London lies 600 miles nearer
the line than the capital of England, the winter
sets in there a month before it does here ; and not
only continues longer, but is more severe. This
extraordinary coldness is said by naturalists to
arise from the vast frozen lakes and rivers, and
mountains eternally covered with snow, through-
out the northernmost parts of America. The
mountains may have their share in producing this
effect ; but I am apt to think the lakes and rivers
have a contrary influence. If I ask, why lands
bordering upon them are three weeks earlier in
their productions than lands ten miles distant, it
will readily be imputed to the warmth of the air,
occasioned by the reflection of the sun's rays from
the water. On the same principle, I argue, that
the rays of the sun, multiplied and reflected by
ice also, will render the air warmer. But it may
be further said, that the cause is, perhaps, to be
ascribed to the soil's being more sandy and loose
near a lake or river, and therefore, naturally
warmer, than that which is remote and not sandy.
I reply, that there are loose, sandy plains, twenty
miles oft' any lake or river, three weeks later in
their products, and very perceptibly colder than
16
182 HISTORY Of CONNECTICUT*
lands upon them. It would be to no purpose ta
urge, that the damps and fogs from unfrozen lakes,
rivers, Slc. affect the distant, but not the adjacent
country ; because, I apprehend, there are no un-
frozen lakes, rivers, &c. in the north of America
in winter. Besides, if there were, the mists ari-
sing from them would naturally be intercepted
by the first mountains or forests they approach-
ed. But I pretend to little philosophical know-
ledge in these matters ; I write from experience ;
and can thence, moreover, assert, that mountains
with snow upon them are not so cold as they
would be without it ; and that mountains covered
with trees are the coldest of all places, but, with-
out trees, are not so cold as forests on plains. I
am clearly of opinion, therefore, that not the lakes
or rivers, but the infinite quantity of timber in the
immense regions of North America, whether upon
mountains or not, is the grand cause of the cold-
ness of the winters in Connecticut. I will add,
moreover, in support of my argument, that beasts,
in the coldest weather, are observed to quit the
woods and woody mountains, for lakes, rivers,
and the cultivated open country : and that Con-
necticut, having now lost most of its timber, is
by no means so intensely cold in winter as it was
forty years ago, and as Susquehanna is at present,
a wilderness in the same latitude. The snow
and ice commonly cover the country, without
rains, from Christmas to March ; then rains, at-
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 18o
tended with a boisterous wind from the north and
east, melt the snow, which converting brooks into
rivers, and rivers into seas, in four or five days
the ice is rent from its groaning banks, in such
mighty sheets as shake the earth for twenty miles.
Nature being thus in convulsions, the winds turn
her fits into madness, by driving ice upon ice,
whose thunders cease not till the ocean swallows
up the whole.
It is but natural to suppose that the summers
in Connecticut are much hotter than those in
England; nevertheless, from the clenrness and
serenity of the sky, the climate is healthy both to
natives and foreigners of all nations. Connecti-
cut is a hospital for the invalids of the Islands
and southern provinces ; but, in general, they no
sooner amend their own constitutions, than the
pestilence, which rages in that of the province,
drives them to Rhode Island or New- York, where
fanaticism is lost in irreligion. The people of
Connecticut reckon time almost five hours later
than the English. The longest day consists of
fifteen hours, the shortest of nine. The bright-
ness of the sun, moon and, stars, together with
their reverberated rays on ice, snow, waters, trees,
mountains, pebbles, and flat stones, dazzle and
weaken the eyes of the New-Englanders to such
a degree, that, in general, they are obliged to use
glasses before they are fifty years of age. For
the most part, also, they have bad teeth, which
184 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
have been ascribed to the extreme heats and
colds of summer and winter ; but, as the Indians
and negroes in the same climate, have remarka-
bly good teeth, it may be said, with great reason,
that the many indulgences of the one, and the
temperance of the other, and not the heats and
colds, are the causes of good and bad teeth.
S;>iL and Produce. — The soil is various in dif-
ferent parts of the province ; in some black, iu
others brown, and elsewhere red, but all rich.
Some plains are sandy, and of a whitish color;
and these produce rye, beans, and Indian corn.
The meadows and low lands are excellent pas-
turage, and yield great crops of hay. The hills
and uplands have a rich, deep soil, but are sub-
ject to droughts in July and August, which in
many places are relieved by water drawn fron>
rivers, ponds, and brooks, in troughs and ditches.
The crops of European grain are always good,
when the snow, which in general is the only ma-
nure, covers the earth from December to March.
One acre commonly yields from twenty to thirty
bushels of wheat ; of Indian corn from forty to
sixty bushels, on river land, and from thirty to
forty on hilly land : but it is to be observed, that
one bushel of it raised on hilly land weighs 13lbs.
more than a bushel raised on river land. All
European grains flourish here ; and the grass is as
thick and much longer than in En<iland. Maize,
or Indian corn is planted in hillocks three feet
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 185
apart, five kernels and two pumpkin seeds in a
hillock; and between the hillocks are planted
ten beans in a hillock; so that, if the season
prove favorable, the beans or the pumpkins are
worth as much as the corn. If, from an acre, the
crop of corn be twenty bushels, add the beans and
pumpkins, and it will be equal to sixty bushels ;
so, if there be sixty bushels of corn, a proportion-
ate growth of beans and pumpkins will render
the product equal to one hundred and eighty
bushels. One man plants an acre in a day ; in
three days he hoes the same three times ; and six
days more suffice for plowing and gathering the
crop. For these ten days' work, the price is thir-
ty shillings : and allowing ten shillings for the
use of the land, the whole expense is two pounds,
and no more, whilst the corn is worth two shil-
lings per bushel. The gain is seldom less than
300, and often 600 per cent. It is thus that the
poor man becomes rich in a few years, if prudent
and industrious.
The limits of Connecticut are reckoned to com-
prise 5,000,000 acres, half of which are supposed
to be swallowed up in rivers, ponds, creeks, and
roads. The inhabitants are estimated at 200,000 ;
so that there remain but twelve and a half acres
for each individual. Let it now be considered
that the people buy no provisions from other
provinces, but, on the contrary, export full as
much as they consume, and it will appear that eack
i86 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
person has in fact only six and a quarter acres for
his own support, two of which must be set apart
for the growth of wood, the only fuel of the colo-
ny. Should I not then be justified in saying that
Connecticut is as good and flourishing land as
any part of Great Britain.
The face of the country resembles Devonshire.
Glocestershire, Surry, and Kent. The farmers
divide their lands into four, five, and ten acres,
by stone walls or posts and rails. The roads from
north to south are generally level and good ; from
east to west, hilly and bad for carriages.
The various fruits are in greater perfection than
in England. The peach and apple are more lus-
cious, beautiful, and large: 1,000 peaches are
produced from one tree ; five or six barrels of ci-
der from one apple-tree. Cider is the common
drink at table. The inhabitants have a method
of purifying cider by frost, and separating the
watery part from the spirit, which, being secured
in proper vessels, and colored by Indian corn,
becomes in three months so much like Madeira
wine, that Europeans drink it without perceiving
the difference. They make peachy and perry;
grape, cherry, and currant wines ; and good beer
tof pumpkins, molasses, bran of wheat, spruce, and
malt. The spruce is the leaves ^nd limbs of the
fir tree : their malt is made of maize, barley, oats,
rye, chets, and wheat. The pumpkin, or pompi-
en, is one of the greatest blessings, and held verj
HISTORY OF CONNEGTICUT. 187
sacred in New-England. It is a native of Ameri-
ca. From one seed often grow forty pumpkins,
each weighing from forty to sixty pounds, and,
when ripe, of the color of the marigold. Each
pumpkin contains 500 seeds, which, being boiled
to a jelly is the Indian infallible cure for the stran-
gury. Of its meat are made beer, bread, custards,
sauce, molasses, vinegar, and, on thanksgiving
days, pies, as a substitute for what the Blue Laws
brand as antichristian minced pies. Its skin or
shell, serves for caps to cut the hair by, (as al-
ready mentioned,) and very useful lanthorns.
There are no trees, grain, or fruits, growing in
England, but what grow in Connecticut. The
English oak has been thought much superior to
the American. Whatever policy may be in this
opinion, I will venture to say there is no truth
in it, in respect to the white oak of Connecticut,
which is tough, close, hard, and elastic, as the
whale-bone dried. The red, black, and chesnut
oak, are, indeed, much inferior to the white oak.
The ash, elm, beech, chesnut, walnut, hazel, sas-
safras, sumach, maple, and butternut, are the
chief timber trees of this province, and grow to
an amazing bulk. The last is a native of Ameri-
ca, and takes its name from a nut it produces, of
the shape and size of a pullet's egg, which con-
tains a meat much larger than any English wal-
nut, in taste like fresh butter : it also makes an
excellent pickle. The butternut furnishes fine
188 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
t
but tender boards ; and its bark dyes black, and
cures cutaneous disorders. In February this
tree yields a sap, of which are made sugar, molas-
ses, and vinegar. The upland maple tree also
affords a sap equally good ; and both saps make
a pleasant beverage without boiling, and the best
punch ever drank in Connecticut.
Here are many iron mines, nay mountains of
iron ore; and, if they had been attended to with
the same diligence as the farms, they would have
supplied Great-Britain with iron, to the great
prejudice of Sweden, and other European nations.
For this commercial loss the inhabitants are in-
debted to their own quarrels, jealousy, and reli-
gious feuds, together with the intrigues of their
neighbors. Some pig and bar iron they send,
out of pure spite or folly, to New-York or Boston,
to be shipped for England, by the merchants
there, who always pay so much less for it, as the
duty on Swedish iron amounts to ; so that Con-
necticut allows a duty to those merchants, which
they do not pay themselves.
English, Barbary, and Dutch horses abound in
this province ; they are not so heavy, but more
mettlesome and hardy than in England. Here
are more sheep than in any two colonies in Ame-
rica ; their wool also is better than that of the
sheep in the other colonies, yet not so fine and
good as the English. A common sheep weighs
sixty pounds, and sells for a dollar, or 4^. 6(?*
HISTORY OF CONNECTICIJT. 189
The horned cattle are not so large as the English ;
yet there have been a few instances of oxen, six
years old, weighing 1,1)00 each. The fat hogs
here excel any in England ; many weigh five or
six hundred pounds. Connecticut pork is far su-
perior to any other.
There are only tw^o small parks of deer in Con-
necticut, but plenty of rabbits, hares, grey, black,
striped and red squirrels, otters, minks, racoons,
weazels, foxes, whapperknockers, woodchucks,
cubas, and skunks. The following descriptions^
of the four last mentioned animals may be new to
(he reader.
The whapperknocker is somewhat bigger than
a weazel, and of a beautiful brown-red color.
He lives in the woods on worms and birds; is so
wild that no man can tame him ; and, as he never
quits his harbor in the day time, is only to be ta-
ken by traps in the night. Of the skins of these
animals, which are covered with an exceeding
fine fur, are made muflfs at the price of thirty or
forty guineas apiece ; so that it is not without
reason the ladies pride themselves on the pos-
session of this small appurtenance of female ha-
biliment.
The woodchuck, erroneously called the bad-
ger by some persons, is of the size of a large ra-
coon, in form resembles a Guinea pig, and when
eating makes a noise like a hog, whence he is
jiamed woodchuck, or chuck of the wood. His
190 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
legs are short ; but his claws sharp, teeth strong,
and courage great, on occasions of self-defence.
He burrows in the earth, feeds on clover and
pumpkins during summer, and sleeps all the
winter. His flesh is good to eat^ and his skin
makes excellent leather.
The cuba I suppose to be peculiar to New-
England. The male is of the size of a large cat,
has four long tushes sharp as a razor, is very ac-
tive in defending himself, and if he has the first
blow, will spoil a dog before he yields. His lady
is peaceable and harmless, and depends for pro-
tection upon her spouse ; and as he has more
courage than prudence, always attends him to
moderate his temper. She sees danger, and he
fears it not. She chatters at him while he is i;re-
paring for battle ; and, if she thinks the danger
is too great, she runs to him, and clings about his
neck, screaming her extreme distress — his wrath
abates, and by her advice they fly to their caves.
In like manner, when he is chained, and irritated
into the greatest rage by an impertinent dog, his
laay, who is never chained, will fly about his
neck and kiss him, and ^n half a minute restore
him to calmness. He is very tender of his fami-
ly, and never forsakes them till death dissolves
their union. What further shews the magnani-
mity of this little animal, he never manifests the
least anger towards his lady, though I have often
seen her extremely loquacious, and, as 1 guessed^
History of Connecticut. 191
impertinent to him. How happy would the ra-
tional part of the creation become, if they would
but follow the example of these irrational beasts!
I the more readily suppose the cuba to be pecu-
liar to New-England, not only from my never
having yet seen the creature described, but also
on account of its perverse observance of Carni-
val and neglect of €areme.
The Skunk is also peculiar to America, and
very different from the Pole-Cat, which he is
sometimes called. He is black striped with
white ; and of the size of a small racoon, with
a sharp nose. He burrows in the earth like a
fox, feeds like a fox on fowls and eggs, and has
strong teeth and claws like a fox : he has long
hair, and thick and good fur; is the beauty of the
wilderness ; walks slow, and cannot run so fast
as a man ; is not wild but very familiar with every
creature. His tail, which is shaggy, and about
one foot in length, he turns over his back at
pleasure, to make himself appear larger and high-
er than he really is. When his tail is thus lying
on his back, he is prepared for war, and generaN
ly conquers every enemy that lives by air; for
on it lies his only weapon, about one inch from
his body, or rump, in a small bladder or bag,
which IS full of an essence, whose tint is of the
brightest yellow, and odor somewhat like the
smell of garlic, but far more exquisite and pier-
cing than any volatile spirit known to chemists.
192 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
One drop will scent a house to such a degree,
that musk, with the help of brimstone and tar burnt,
will not expel it in six months. The bladder in
which this essence lies is worked by the animal
like an engine, pump, or squirt; and when the
creature is assaulted, he turns his head from his
enemy, and discharges from his tail the essence,
which fills the neighboring air with a mist that
destroys the possibility of living in it. I have
seen a large house-dog, by one discharge of the
Skunk, retire with shame and sickness ; and at
another time, a bullock bellowing as if a dog had
held him by his nose. Was it not for man, no
creature could kill this animal, which, instead of
the Lion, ought to be crowned King of Animals,
as well on account of his virtues and com-
plaisance, as his courage. He knows his forte ;
he fears nothing, he conquers all ; yet he is civil
to all, and never gives, as he will not take, of-
fence. / His virtues are many. The wood of Ca-
lamba, which cures fainting-fits and strokes of the
palsy, and is worth its weight in gold, is far less
valuable than the above mentioned essence of
this animal. The bag is extracted whole from
his tail, and the essence preserved in glass ; no-
thing else will confine it. One drop sufficiently
impregnates a quart of spring water; and a half
a gill of water thus impregnated is a dose. It
cures the hiccups, asthmatic, hysteric, paralytic,
and hectic disorders ; and the odor prevents
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 193
faintness. The flesh of this animal is excellent
food ; and its oil cures sprains, and contractions
of the sinews. "'^^
The feathered tribe in Connecticut are, tur-
keys, geese, ducks, and all kinds of barn-door
poultry; innumerable flocks of pigeons, which
fly to the south in autumn ; cormorants, of all
sizes ; hawks, owls, ravens, and crows ; partridges,
quails, heath-hens, blackbirds, snipes, larks, hu-
militys, whipperwills, dewminks, robins, wrens,
swallows, sparrows, the flax, crimson, white and
blue birds, (fcc. (fcc, to which I must add the
humming bird, though it might wantonly be styled
the empress of the honey-bees, partaking with
them of the pink, tulip, rose, daisy, and other aro-
matics. The partridges in New-England are
near as large as a Darking, fowl ; the quails, as
an English partridge; and the robins twice as
big as those in England. The dew^-mink so na-
med from its articulating those syllables, is black
and white, and of the size of an English robin.
Its flesh is delicious. The humility is so called,
because it speaks the word humility, and seldom
mounts high in the air. Its l^gs are long enough
to enable it to outrun a dog for a little way ; its
wings long and narrow, body maigre, and of the
size of a blackbird's; plumage variegated with
white, black, blue, and red. It lives on tadpoles,
spawn and worms ; has an eye more piercing than
the falcon, and the swiftness of an eagle. Hence
J7
194 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
it can never be shot : for it sees the sparks of fire
even before they enkindle the powder, and, by
the extreme rapidity of its flight, gets out of reach
in an instant. It is never known to light upon a
tree, but is always seen upon the ground or wing.
These birds appear in New-England in summer
only; what becomes of them afteiwards is not
discovered. They are caught in snares, but can
never be tamed.
The whipperwill has so named itself by its noc-
turnal songs. It is also called the pope, by rea-
son of its darting with great swiftness, from the
clouds to the ground, and bawling out Pope!
which alarms young people and the fanatics very
much, especially as they know it to be an omi-
nous bird. However, it has hitherto proved
friendly, always iiiving travellers and others n«>tice
of an approaching storm, by saluting them every
minute with Pope! Pope! It flies only a little
before sunset, unless for this purpose of giving
notice of a storm. It never deceives the people
with false news. If the tempest is to continue
long, the augurs appear in flocks, and nothing
can be heard b-t the word Pope ! Pope ! The
whipperwill is about the size of a cuckow, has a
short beak, long and narrow wings, a large hc^ad,
and mouth enormous, yet it is not a bird of prey.
Under its throat is a pocket, which it fills with
air at pleasure, whereby it sounds forth the fatal
wore- Pope in the day, and Whip-her-l-wiU in
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 195
the night. The superstitious inhabitants would
have exorcised this harmless bird long ago, as an
emissary from Rome, and an enemy to the Ameri-
can vine, had they not found out that it frequents
New-England only in the summer, and prefers
the wilderness to a palace. Nevertheless, many
cannot but believe it a spy from some foreign
court, an agent of antichrist, a lover of persecu-
tion, and an enemy of protestants, because it
sings of whipping, and of the Pope, which they
think portends misery and a change of religion.
The principal insects are, the hornet, bull-fly,
glow-bug, humble-bee, and the black and yellow
wasp.
The bull-fly is armed with a coat of mail,
which it can move from one place to another, as
sliders to a window are moved. Its body is about
an inch long, and its horns half an inch, very
sharp and strong. It has six feet, with claws
sharp as needles, and runs fast. It also flies with
some speed. In sucking the blood or juice of
its prey, this creature holds the same in its claws,
otherwise the prey is carried between his horns.
The glow-bug both crawls and flies, and is
about half an inch long. These insects fly in the
summer evenings, nearly seven feet from the
ground, in such multitudes, that they aflbrd suffi-
cient light for people to walk by. The bright-
ness, however, is interrupted by twinklings; but
they are instantaneous and short as those of the
196 HISTORY OF CONNECTICIJT.
eye ; so that darkness no sooner takes place than
it vanishes.
The humble-bee is almost as large as the hum-
ming-bird, but cannot fly near so fast. It builds
its nest in the ground, where it makes a honey-
comb of the size of a man's hand, and fills it with
bee-bread, wax, and honey, excelling that of the
honey-bee in taste. Two or three begin, and
having shortly multiplied to about forty, the
young ones leave home as soon as they can fly, to
begin new settlements. These bees are wrongly
named ; they are warriors, and only want quanti-
ty of poison to be more fatal than rattle-snakes.
The honey-bees can sting but once, while the
humble-bees will sting a thousand times. Their
body is black and white ; wings of a Doric color;
sight piercing; hearing quick ; and temper cruel.
Among the reptiles of Connecticut are the
black, the water, milk, and streaked snakes, all
harmless. The belled or rattle-snakes are large,
and will gorge a common cat. They are seldom
seen from their rocky dens. Their bite is mortal
if not speedily cured ; yet they are generous and
without guile ; before they bite, they rattle their
bells three or four times ; but, after that, their
motion is swift, and stroke sure. The Indians dis-
covered and informed the English of a weed, com-
mon in the country, which, mixed with spittle,
will extract the poison.
The toads and frogs are plenty in the spring of
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 197
the year. The tree-frogs, whipperwills, and
whooping-owls, serenade the inhabitants every
night with music far excelling the harmony of the
trumpet, drum, and jews-harp.
The tree-frog cannot be called an insect, a
reptile, or one of the winged host. He has four
legs, the two foremost short, with claws as sharp as
those of a squirrel: the hind legs 5 inches long, and
folding by three joints. His body is about as big
as the first joint of a man's thumb. Under his
throat is a wind-bag, which assists him in singing
the word I-sa ac, all the night. When it rains,
and is very dark, he sings the loudest. His voice
is not so pleasing as that of a nightingale ; but
this would be a venial imperfection, if he would
but keep silence on Saturday nights, and not for-
ever prefer I-sa ac to Abraham and Jacob. He
has more elasticity in his long legs than any other
ci:eature yet known. By this means he will leap
five yards up a tree, fastening himself to it by his
forefeet; and in a moment will hop or r.pring as
far from one tree to another. It is from the sing-
ing of the tree-frog that the Americans have ac-
quired the name of Little Isaac. Indeed, like a
certain part of them, the creature appears very
devout, noisy, arbitrary, and phlegmatic, and as-
sociates with none but what agree with him in
his ways.
The oysters, clams, quauhogs, lobsters, crabs,
and fish, are innumerable. The shad, bass, and
17*
198 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
salmon, more than half support the province.
The sturgeon is made no use of. From the num-
ber of seines employed to catch the fish passing
up to the lakes, one might be led to suppose the
whole must be stopped ; yet, in six months time
they return to the sea with such multitudes of
young ones as fill Connecticut river for many
days, and no finite being can number them.
Population and Inhabitants. — Connecticut,
in proportion to its extent, exceeds every other
colony of English America, as well in the abun-
dance of people as cultivation of soil. The num-
ber of the first settlers at Saybrook, in 1634, was
200 ; in 1636, at Hertford, 106 ; in 1637, at New-
Haven, 157; in all 463. In 1670, the residents
in these three settlements amounted to 15,000, of
whom 2,000 were men capable of bearing arms ;
the rest, old men, women, and children. In 1680,
the residents were 20,000; in 1770, 200,000.
Hence, it appears, that the people of Connecti-
cut did, during the 90 years preceding the lastmen-
tioned date, increase 2,000 each year, i. e. 20,000
in a period of 90 years, doubled their number ten
times over. Should the 200,000, which existed
in Connecticut in 1770, double their number in
the same manner for the ensuing 90 years, the
province will, in the year 1860, contain 2,000,000,
and if the fighting men should then be in the
same proportion to the rest of the inhabitants, as
they were in 1670, they will amount to no less
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 19^
than 266,000. I see no reason in nature why it
may not be so.
Since 1670, the emigrations from Europe, or
elsewhere, to Connecticut, have been trifling in
comparison to the emigrations from Connecticut
to New-Jersey, New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-
Bay, Nova Scotia, &c. &c.
Manufactures. — The inhabitants manufacture
coarse and fine flannels, linen, cotton, and wool-
len cloths, woollen stockings, mittens, and gloves,
for their own use; they spin much cotton and
flax ; and make common and the best kind of
beaver hats. Ship-building is a great branch of
business in Connecticut, which is carried on
much cheaper than in Europe, by means of saw-
mills worked by water. The planks are cut by a
gang often or twelve saws, more or less, as occa-
sion requires, while the carriage is backed but
once. Great part of the ship timber is also cut
by water. Anchor making is done by water and
trip hammers, without much fatigue to the work-
men. Distillation and paper making increase
every year. Here are many rope walks, which
want neither hemp nor flax ; and formerly here
were rolling and slitting works, but they have
been suppressed by an act of parliament, to the
ruin of many families.
Commerce. — The exports of Connecticut con-
sist chiefly of all sorts of provisions, pig and bar
iron, pot and pearl ashes, staves, lumber, boards,
200 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT.
iron pots and kettles, anchors, planks, hoopsy
shingles, live cattle, horses, &c. &c. To \Ahat
amount these articles are annually exported may
be judged of from the following very low esti-
mate :
Pork £ 93,750
Beef 100,000
Mutton 5,000
Horses 40,000
Wheat 340,000
Butter, cheese, rye, oats, onions tobacco,
cider, maize, beans, fowls, eggs, tallow,
and hides, 90,000
Ships, anchors, cables, cordage, pig and
bar iron, pots, k( ttles, pot and pearl
ashes, boards, and lumber 250,000
918,750
besides hay, fish, &c. cSsc. The salmon large
and small, are exported both pickled and dried.
In the above statement of exports, I have al-
lowed only for horses bred in the colony, and not
for those brought for exportation from Canada,
and other northern parts, which are very nume-
rous. The calculation of the wheat, the common
price of which is three shillings sterling per
bushel, is founded upon the allowed circumstance
of the exportation being equal to the consump-
tion, viz. 2,600,000 bushels among 200,000 per-
sons, accordinor to the acknowledged necessary
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 201
portion of thirteen bushels for one person. The
pork is estimated according to the reputed num-
ber of houses m the province, viz. 30,000, allow-
ing one and a qunrter barrels for each house, at
21, lOs. per barrel.
The imports, in 1680, when the number of in-
habitants was 20,000, amounted to iO,OuO^ i* e.
at the rate of Its. for each individual. Suppo-
sing the increase of imports only to keep pace
with that of the people, they would, in i770y
when the province contained 200,000 souls,
amount to 100,000/.; but, I believe that to be not
above one quarter of their value.
Boston, New-York, and Newport, have the
greatest share of the exports of Connecticut, and
pay for them in English or Dutch goods^ at cent,
per cent, profit to themselves, upon a moderate
computation. What few of them are sent by the
colony to the West Indies are paid for honorably
in rum, molasses, sugar, salt, brandy, cotton, and
money.
Consequences very prejudicial attend the com-
merce of Connecticut, thus principally carried on
through the medium of the neighboring colonies-
I will here point out one material instance. Con-
necticut pork, a considerable article of exporta-
tion, excels all other in America, and fetches a
half-penny more per pound. Of this difference
in price the merchants of New- York, Boston, &c.
have taken care to avail themselves, by mixing
202 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
their own inferior pork with that of Connecticut,
and then selling the whole at the full price of the
latter. This fair dealing was managed thus: —
The pork of Connecticut is packed up in barrels,
each of which, according to statute regulation,
must weigh 220lbs. and contain not more than
six legs, and three half heads. The packer is to
mark the barrel before it is shipped, and is liable
to a heavy punishment, if there should be found
four half heads and seven legs in the barrel when
it is delivered for exportation. Butof largi- pork
two legs and half a hv ad will be a sufficient pro-
portion of those parts in a barrel. This gives
the New-York and Bostonian merchants an op-
portunity of taking out the best part of the Con-
necticut pork, and substituting in its place an
equal weight of their own, whereby it often hap-
pens, that four legs and two half heads are found
in a barrel of reputed Connecticut pork. Though
it then remains a barrel according to the statute,
it cannot but be supposed that this practice must
greatly hurt the credit of Connecticut pork, with
all who are not apprised that it passes through
the renowned provinces of Massachusetts-Bay
and New-York.
The people of Connecticut have long been
sensible of the many and great inipositions arjd
disadvimtages which beset their commercial sys-
tem ; yet, though sufficient power is in their own
bands, they have no inclination or resolution to
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 203
attempt a reformation of it. The reason is, the
mutual animosities and rancor subsisting be-
tween the dominions of New London, Hertford,
and New-Haven, each of which prefers the gen-
eral ruin of the province to a coalition upon any
terms short of conquest. The seeds of this dis-
cord were thus sown by their two insidious neish-
bors. The port of New-London is by far the
best in the province, and extremely well calcula-
ted for its capital and grand commercial empo-
rmm ; and about fifty years since, a number of
merchants there began to export and import
goods, seemingly to the satisfaction of the whole
colony, but to the great displeasure and chagrin
of those of New- York and Boston, whom it threat-
ened with ruin. Something was necessary to be
done. The poor Bostonians, according to cus-
tom, privately sent to their faithful allies at
Hertford, to infuse into them an idea that their
town ought to be the capital, and not New-Lon-
don, which belonged to the dominion of Sassacus,
who had murdered so many christians ; adding,
that, if they would engage in such an attempt in
favor of Hertford, the Boston merchants would
supply them with goods cheaper than they could
buy them at New-London. The good people
of Hertford, forgetting their river was frozen five
monti)s in the year, remembering how they had
obtained their charter, hatmg Sassacus, and lov-
ing self, .immediately gave into the designing Bos-
204 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
tonians' suggestions, and refused to receive any
more goods from New-London. The friendly
Mynheers of New-York played off' a similar trick
upon New-Haven, and promised to support that
town as the capital of the colony. The plots
succeeded. Contentions and quarrels arose among
the three parties, the effects of which remain to
this day. The merchants of New-London were
obliged to quit Connecticut; and the trade of
the province was chiefly divided between New-
York and Boston, at cent, per cent, disadvantage
to an ill-natured colony, and at the same ad-
vantage to its cunning neighbors. ¥/hen party-
spirit yields to self-interest, New-London will
again become the emporium of Connecticut,
where merchants will settle and import goods
from foreign countries at o5l. per cent, extra
profit to the consumers, and 15/. per cent, extra
profit to themselves, and withal save as much in
the exports from Connecticut by taking the full
price and bounty of its goods at foreign markets,
instead of yielding the same to the people of
New-York and Boston, who have too long kept
200,000 people as negroes upon their own farms,
to support twice 20,000 artful citizens. Thus
has Connecticut, by contention aiid folly, im-
poverished, and kept in obscurity, the most fruit-
ful colony in America, to support the fame and
grandeur of Boston and New-York among the
trading nations of Europe. When I view the
MISTORY OF t'ONNECTlCLT. 2Q5'
less fertile soil of Boston, the conscience of mer-
chants, the pride of the pretended Gospel mi-
nisters, the blindness of bigotry, and the mercan-
tile ignorance of farmers, I forgive Boston, New-
York, and Rhode Island, but condemn Connecti-
cut. I will leave a legacy to the people of my na-
tive country, which possibly may heal their divi-
sions, and render them partial to their own pro-
vince, as the Bostonians are to theirs. It consists
of two lines :
" But if men knaves and fools will be,
They'll be ass-ridden by all three."
Revenue and Expenditure. — In 1680, the
whole corporation were estimated to be worth
120,000/. They then had 30 small vessels, 26
churches, and, as abovementioned, 20,000 inhabi-
tants. If their value had increased only in pro-
portion with the inhabitants, who, I have said,
amounted to 200,000 in 1770, the corpo'-ation
would then have been worth no more than
1,200,000/. a sum not equal to IO5. per acre,
though in a great measure cultivated, and sur-
rounded with stone walls, which alone cost ten
shillings by the rod ; but in that year, viz. 1770,
land sold in Connecticut from four to fifty pounds
per acre; their vessels also had increased to
above 1,200; and the churches — least in propor-
tion— to about 300. The true method, therefore,
r*i forming the valuation of Connecticut in 1770,
18
^06 HISTORY OF eONNECTICUT.
is, not by calculating upon its state in 1680, but
by estimating the number of its acres, appreci-
ating them by purchases then made, and adding
a due allowance for the stock, &c. Now, Con-
necticut has been reputed to contain 2,500,000
solid acres, which, at the very moderate price of
eight pounds each, are worth 20,000,000/. sterl.
and 14,000, *00i. bring added as a reasonable al-
lowance for stock, shipping, &c. the whole valu-
ation of Connecticut would amount to 34,000,^ GOl.
— The annual income, suj;posing the 2,500,000
acres, and stock rented at 105. per acre, one with
another, would be 1,250,000/.
A list of rateables, called the General List, is
the foundation upon which the revenue is raised
in Connecticut, being the valuation of a man's
property by the year. It is formed in the follow-
ing manner :
One acre of land, per ann. Ol.lOs,
One house 2 0
One horse 3 0
One ox 3 0
One swine 1 0
One cow 3 0
One two year old heifer 2 0
One yearling do. 1 0
One poll or male, between 16 and GO years 18 0
One lawyer for his faculty 20 0
One vessel of 100 tons 10 0
£65 10
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 207
Every person annually gives in his list, specify-
ing the property he possesses, to the selectmen,
who send the sum total of each to^vn to the Ge-
neral Assembly, when a tax of one shilling, more
or less, according to public exigencies, is imposed
on each pound.
According to the general list of the colony for
1770, I have under-rated its annual worth, which
then was fixed at 2,000,000/. for, though that list
includes the poll tax of 18/. per hoiid for all males
above sixteen and under sixty years of age, the
faculty tax, and the tax on shipping, all which
may amount to 600,000/. there nevertheless re-
mains a surplus of 150,000/. above my calcula-
tion. But supposing a tax of one shilling in the
pound (the common colonial assessment) on
1,250,000/. the produce will be 62,500/. exclu-
sive of the poll, faculty, and other taxes. Small,
however, as this assessment is, it has never been
collected without much difficulty and clamor;
yet the people lose, by trading with Boston, New-
York, and Newport, in exports and imports,
600,000/. annually — and that for nothing, but to
oblige the traders of those towns, and disoblige
one another.
;0S HISTORY OF GONNECTICirr.
The annual expenditure of the colony is
: as fol-
lows :
Salary of the Governor
£300
Lieutenant Governor
150
Treasurer
150
Secretary
150
The twelve Assistants in Council
with the Governor
800
146 Pi^epresentatives
2,500
300 Ministers, lOOZ. each
30,000
Allowance for contingencies
28,450
Total 62,500
The above mentioned list of the colony, in-
cluding the poll tax, &c. would afford 32,500Z.
more for contingencies !
Religion and Government — Properly speak-
ing, the Connecticutensians have neither, nor
ever had : but, in pretence, they excel the whole
world, except Boston and Spain. If I could re-
collect the names of the multifarious religious
sects among them, it might afford the reader a
pleasant idea of the prolific invention of mankind.
I shall mention a few of the most considerable :
specifying the number of their congregations.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 209
Episcopalians
Scotch presbyterian
Sandemanian
Congregations
73
1
3
Ditto, bastard
1
Lutherans
1
Baptists
Seven-day ditto
6
1
Quakers
4
Davisonians
1
Separatists
Rogereens
40
1
Bowlists
1
Old Lights
80
New Lights
87
300
An account of some of these sects is to be
found in the history of Munster; but the Bowl-
ists, Separatists, and Davisonians, are peculiar to
the colony. The first allow of neither singing
nor prayer ; the second permit only the Elect to
pray ; and the third teach universal salvation,
and deny the existence of a hell or devils. The
presbyterians and episcopalians are held by all to
be the enemies of Zion, and the American vine ;
nay, the former are even worse hated than the
churchmen, because they appear to be dissenters
and are not genuine enemies to episcopacy, but
" hold the truth in unrighteousness." Some tra-
18*
210 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
vellers have called the fanatical sects of Con-
necticut by the general name of Legionists, be-
cause they are many; and others have called
them Pumguntums, Cantums, &c. because they
groan and sing with a melancholy voice their
prayers, sermons, and hymns. This disgusting
tone has utterly excluded oratory from them ;
and, did they not speak the English language in
greater perfection than any other of the Ameri-
cans, few strangers would disoblige them with
their company. Their various systems are foun-
ded upon those of Peters, Hooker, and Daven-
port, of which I have already spoken ; yet the
modern teachers have made so many new-fan-
gled refinements in the doctrine and discipline of
those patriarchs, and of one another, as render
their passion for ecclesiastical innovation and ty-
ranny equally conspicuous. But the whole are
enveloped with superstition, which here passes
for religion, as much as it does in Spain, France,
or among the savages. I will instance that of an
infmt in 1761. Some children were piling sand-
heaps in Hertford, when a boy only four years
old, hearing it thunder at a distance, left his
companions and ran home to his mother, crying
out, -' Mother ! mother ! give me my book, for I
heard God speaking to me." His mother gave
him his book, and he read A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
4lc. then gave up his book, saying, " Here,
mother, take my book ; I must go to my sand-
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 211
houses ; now I am not afraid of all the thunder
and lightning in the world."
As to their government, we may compare it to
the regularity of a mad mob in London, with
this exception, the mob acts without law, and the
colonists by law. They teach that legal right-
eousness is not saving grace. Herein they are
right ; but it appears they believe not their own
doctrine ; for legal righteousness is their only
shield and buckler ! In January county court, at
Hertford only, 1768, there were above 3,000 suits
on the docket; and there are four of those courts
in a year, and perhaps never less suits at a court
than 2,000.
In the course of this work, my readers must
necessarily have observed, in some degree, the ill
eft'ects of the democratical constitution of Con-
necticut. I would wish them to imagine, for I
feel myself unable adequately to describe, the
confusion, turbulence, and convulsion arising
in a province, where not only every civil officer,
from the Governor to the constable, but also every
minister, is appointed as well as paid by the peo-
ple, and faction and superstition are established.
The clergy, lawyers, and merchants, or traders, are
the three efficient parties which guide the helm of
government. Of these the most powerful is the cler-
gy : and, when no combinations are formed against
them, they may be said to rule the whole province ;
for they lead the women captive, and the women the
men ; but when the clergy differ with the law-
212 HISTORY OF CONNECTICiyT.
yers and merchants, the popular tide turns. In
like manner, when the clergy and lawyers con-
tend with the merchants, it turns against these ;
and it is the same, when the clergy and mer-
chants unite against the lawyers. This fluctua-
tion of power gives a strange appearance to the
body politic at large. In Hertford, perhaps, the
clergy and merchants are agreed and prevail ; in
Weathersfield, the clergy and lawyers; in Middle-
town, the lawyers and merchants ; and so on,
again and again, throughout the colony. Thus
the General Assembly becomes an assembly of
contending factions, whose different interests and
pursuits it is generally found necessary mutually
to consult, in order to produce a suflicient coali-
ti(in to proceed on the business of the state. —
Vosipsos, pseudO'patres patrice^ veluti in speculo,
aspicite ! — Sometimes, in quarrels between the
merchants and lawyers of a particular parish, the
minister is allowed to stand neuter; but, for the
most part, he is obliged to declare on one side
or the other ; he then, remembering whence he
gets his bread, espouses that which appears to be
the strongest, whether it be right or wrong, and
his declaration never fails to ruin the adverse par-
ty. En rabies vulgi! — I must beg leave to refer
my readers to their own reflections upon such a
system of government as I have here sketched
out.
The historians of New-England boast much of
the happiness all parties there enjoy in not being
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 213
subject, as in England, to any sacramental test
by way of qualification for preferment in the state ;
on which account, with peculiar propriety, it might
be called a free country. The truth is, there
never has been occasion for such a test-act.
The assemblies never appointed any, because
the magistrates are annually chosen by the people,
of whom the far gre;iter part are church mem-
bers; and this church-membership, in its conse-
quences, destroys all liberty in a communicant,
who is necessitated to swear to promote the in~
terests of that church he is a member of, and is
duly informed by the minister what that interest
is. The minister is the eye of conscience to all
freemen in his parish; and tells them, that they
will perjure themselves, if they give their votes to
an episcopalian, or to any person who is not a
member of the church of Sober Dissenters. Those
freemen dare not go counter to the minister's
dictate, any more tlian a true Mussulman dare
violate the most sacred law of Mahomet. What
need, then, is there of a civil test, when a re-
ligious test operates much more powerfully, and
will ever keep all churchmen, separatists, qua-
kers, baptists, and other denominations, from
governmf.'ntal employments, in Connecticut, and
confine them to the Old and New Lights ; whilst
the test-act in England prevents no dissenter
from holding any civil or military commission
whatsoever., — Upon this subject Mr. Neal has ex-
214 HISTORY Op CONNECTieUT.
erted himself in so signal a manner, that he ought
to be styled the Champion of New-England. He
represents, that there were two state factions in
New-England : the one out of place he calls
spies, and malcontents, chiefly because they had
no share in the government. He adds, p. 615,
"I can assure the world, that religion is no part
of the quarrel ; for there is no sacramental test
"for preferments in the state." Many people in
New-England have not been able to assign a
reason for Mr. NeaPs choosing to hide one truth
by telling another, viz. that there was no statute
in New-England to oblige a man to receive the
sacrament among the Sober Dissenters, SiS a quali-
fication for civil employment. This assertion is
really true ; and when Mr. Neal speaks a truth,
he above all men ought to have credit for it. But
Mr. Neal well knew it to be truth also, that no
man could be chosen a coporal in the train-band,
unless he was a member of the church of the So-
ber Dissenters, because then every voter was sub-
ject to a religious test of the synod or con-
sociation. Mr. Neal, indeed, seems to think that
a civil test is heresy itself; but that a religious
test is liberty, is gospel, and renders " all parties
of christians in New-England easy, a happy peo-
ple !" The reason, however, of his mufl^ing truth
with truth, was, he wrote for the Old Lights, and
against the New Lights, for hire ; the New Lights
being the minority, and out of place in the state
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 215
Those two sects differed about the coercive pow-
er of the civil magistrate. The Old Lights held
that ttie civil magistrate was a creature framed on
purpose to support ecclesiastical censures with
the sword of severity; but the New Lights main-
tained, that the magistrate had no power or right
to concern himself with church excommunication,
and that excommunication was all the punishment
anj one could undergo in this world according to
the rules of the gospel. These were and always
have been two great articles of faith in New-
England ; nevertheless, Mr Neal says, he can as-
sure the world, that "religion is no part of the
quarrel !" I hope Mr. Neal did not mean to quib-
ble, as the New Englanders generally do, by
Jesuitism, viz. that religion is peaceable and ad-
mits not of quarrels; and yet, if he did, he meant
not a full representation of the matter: for he
well knew that the difference m respect to the
intent and power of magistrates was a religious
point, and formed the partition-wall between the
Old and New Lights. The civilians or magis-
trates were too wise to countenance the New
Lights, who promised little good to them ; while
the Old Lights gave them a power of punishing,
even with death, those whom they had anathema-
tized, and who would not submit to their censures
by penitence and confession. The Old Lights,
in short, supported'the practice of the inquisitors
of Spain, and Archbishop Laud; the ostensible
21G HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
occasion of their ancestors flying from England
to the wilderness of America.
But Mr. Neal contented not himself with one
mistake ; he added, *' that the people of New-
England are a dutiful and loyal people." They
never merited this character, and they always had
too much honesty and religion to claim it. From
the first they have uniformly declared, in church
and state, that America is a new world, subject to
the people residing in it ; and that none but ene-
mies to the country would appeal from their
courts to the King in Council. They never have
prayed for any earthly king by name. They
have always called themselves republicans, and
enemies to kingly government, to temporal and
spiritual lords They hate the idea of a parlia-
ment, consisting of King, Lords, and Commons :
they declare that the three branches should be
but one, the King having only a single vote with
the other members. Upon this point they have
always quarrelled with all governors. They never
have admitted one law of England to be in force
among them, till passed by their assemblies.
They have sent agents to fight against the Kings
of England. They deny the jurisdiction of the
Bishop of London, which extends over America
by virtue of a royal patent. They hold Jesus to
be their only King, whom if they love and obey,
they will not submit, because they have not sub-
mitted, to the laws of the King of Great Britain.
HISTORV OF CONNECTICUT. 217
Nr. Neal, furthermore, professes his want of
conception why the Society for the Propagation
of the Gospel in foreign parts should send mis-
sionaries into New-England, when Oliver Crom-
well had, in 1640, instituted a Society to propa-
gate Christian knowledge there. Mr. Neal might
have learnt the cause of this phenomenon from
the charter granted to the first mentioned Society
by King William III. who was a friend to civil
and christian liberty, and who endeavored to sup-
press the intolerable persecutions in his days pre-
vailing in New-England. But, besides Mr. Neal,
could not but know that there were many church-
men in New-England desirous of the use of the
liturgy and discipline of the English church ; and
for what reason should not they have ministers of
their own persuasion, as well' as the sober and
conscientious dissenters ? I hope my readers
will not think me a partial advocate for the church
of England, which, perhaps, has lost the oppor-
tunity of civilizing, christianizing, and mode-
rating the burning zeal of the dissenters in New-
England, who were honest in their religion, mere-
ly by the sinful omission of not sending a bishop
to that country, who would have effected greater
things among them than an army of 50,000 men.
I avow myself to be liberal minded towards all sects
and parties ; and, if 1 had power, I would convert
all sorts of ministers into popes, cardinals, pre-
lates^ dominis, potent presbyters, and rich qua-
19
218 HISTORY OP CONNECTICUT.
kers, that the world might be excused from hear*
ing again of preaching, defamation, insurrections,
and spiritual jurisdictions, which result more from
poverty, pride, avarice, and ambition, than the
love of peace and Christianity. It has been said
by the deists and other politicians, that ministers,
by preaching, have done more hurt than good in
the christian world. If the idea will hold in any
part, it will in New-England, where each sect
preaches, for Gospel, policy and defamation of its
neighbor ; whence the lower classes think, that
Christianity consists in defending their own pe-
culiar church and modes, and subverting those of
others, at any rate ; while the higher ranks value
religion and the Gospel as laws of a foreign coun-
try, and the clergy as merchants or pawwawers,
subtle, cruel, and greedy of richfes and dominion
over all people. For this reason, the savages
have taken an aversion to the protestant religion,
and say they had rather follow Hobbamockow,
and the Roman priests, than New-England chris-
tians, who persecute one another, and killed their
ancestors with a pocky Gospel. With scorn they
cry out, " We value not your Gospel, which shews
so many roads to Kicktang : some of them must
be crooked, and lead to Hobbamockow. We
liad, therefore, better continue Indians, like ouf
ancestors ; or be catholics, who tell us of only one
way to Kicktang, or the invisible God."
Laws. — A stranger in the colony, upon hearing
HISTORY OP CONNECTICUT. 219
ihe inhabitants talk of religion, liberty, and jus-
tice, would be induced to believe that the chris-
tian and civil virtues were their distinguishing
characteristics ; but he soon finds his mistake on
fixing his abode among them. Their laws grind
the poor, and their religion is to oppress the op-
pressed. The poll tax is unjust and cruel. The
poor man is compelled to pay for his head I8s,
per ann. work four days on the highways, serve in
the militia four days, and pay three shillings for
his hut without a window in it. The best house
and richest man in the colony pays no more !
The law is pretended to exempt episcopalians,
anabaptists, quakers, and others, from paying
rates to the Sober Dissenters ; but at the same
time, gives the Sober Dissenters power to tax them
for minister, school, and town rates, by a general
vote ; and no law or court can put asunder what
the town has joined together. — The law also ex-
empts from paying to Sober Dissenters all church-
men, who live so near as they can and do attend
the church. But hence, if a man is sick, and doe^
not attend more than twenty-six Sabbaths m a
year, he becomes legally a Sober Dissenter ; and,
if the meeting lies between him and the church,
he does not live so near the church as he can at-
tend, because it is more than a Sabbath-day's
journey, and therefore unnecessary travel.*
* Supplement, Note (d)
220 HISTORY Ot CONNECTICUT.
The law prescribes whipping, stocks and fines,
for such as do not attend public worship on the
Sabbath. The grand jury complains, and the
justice inflicts the punishment. This has been
the practice many years. About 1750, Mr. Pitt,
a churchman, was whipped, for not attending
meeting. Mr. Pitt was an old man. The epis-
copal clergy wrote to England, complaining of
this cruel law. The Governor and Council im-
mediately broke the justice who punished Mr.
Pitt, and wrote to the Bishop of London that
they had done so, as a mark of their disapproba-
tion of the justice's conduct, and knew not what
more they could do. This apology satisfied the
Bishop; and the next year the same Governor
and Council restored the justice to his ofiice :
however, quakers and anabaptists only were
whipped afterwards.
Formerly, when a Sober Dissenter had a suit in
law against a cherchman, every juryman of the
latter persuasion was by the court removed from
the jury, and replaced by Sober Dissenters. The
reason assigned for this extraordinary conduct
was, "that justice and impartiality might take
place." The episcopalians, quakers, and other
sects, not of the Sober Dissenters, were not ad-
mitted to serve as jurymen in Connecticut till
about 1750. Such of them, whose annual worth
is rated at not less than forty pounds in the gene-
ral list, have enjoyed the list of voting for civil
HTSTORY ©F CONNECTICUT. 221
officers a much longer term ; but from parish
concerns they are all still totally excluded.
Other laws I have occasionally animadverted'
upon in the course of this v^ork ; and a specimen
of the Blue Laws and of the various courts are in-
serted.
Nothing can reflect greater disgrace upon the
colony than the number of suits in all the county
courts, amounting in the whole to between 20 and
30,000 annually ; the greatest part of which are
vexatiously commenced from expectations ground-
ed upon the notorious instability of the judges'
opinions and decisions.
This spirit of litigation, which distracts the pro-
vince in general, is, however, a blessing to the
judges and lawyers. The court has one shilling
for every action called, and twenty shillings for
those that come to trial ; and the fee to each law-
yer is twenty shillings, whether the action be
tried or not ; besides various other expenses.
There are near as manv suits of conscience be-
fore the justices of peace, and ministers, and dea-
cons ; so that the sum annually expended in law*
in the whole colony is amazing. It was not with-
out reason, therefore, that the judges, the law-
yers, the ministers, and deacons, the sheriifs, and
constables, opposed the stamp-act with all their
might. They told the people, that, if this act
took place, their liberties would be destroyed,
222 ' HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
and they would be tried by King's judges without
a jury.
The singular nature of some of the suite entitle
them to particular notice. When the ice and
floods prevail in the great river Connecticut, they
frequently cut off large pieces of ground on one
side, and carry them over to the opposite. By
this means the river is every year changing its
bed, to the advantage of some persons, and the
disadvantage of others. This has proved the
source of perplexing law-suits, and will most like-
ly continue to produce the same effects so long
as the demi-annual assemblies remain in the colo-
ny; for the judgment of the Assembly in May is
rescinded by that in October, and so vice versa»
Thus a law-suit in Connecticut is endless, to the
ruin of both plaintiff and defendant. The coun-
ty and the superior courts, also, in different years^
give different judgments; and the reason is the
popular constitution of the colony, whereby dif-
ferent parlies prevail at different times, each of
whom carefully undoes what the others have
done. Thus the glorious uncertainty of law ren-
ders the possession of property in Connecticut
extremely precarious. The question, however^
touching the lands removed from place to place
by the floods and ice, requires the skill of both,
juries and casuists. The most simple case of the
kind that has been communicated to me, is the
f6l lowing.:
HISTORY OF CQNNECTICUa*. 22-8
A piece of land belonging to A. in Springfield,
with a house, &c. standing upon it, was removed
by the flood to another town, and settled on land
belonging to W. A. claimed his house and land,
and took possession of them; whereupon W.
sued A. for a trespass, and the court ejected A.
But A. afterwards obtained a reversion of the
judgment; when W. again sued A. and got a
decree that A. should remove his own land off
from the land of W. or pay W. for his land.
Further litigation ensued, and both parties plead-
ed that the act of God injured no man according
to the English law. The judges said, the act of
God in this case equally fell upon A. and W.
The dispute rests in statu quo, the jurisprudence
of Connecticut not having yet taught mankind
what is jufit and legal in this important contro-^
versy.
Supposing the flood had carried A.'s ship or
raft on W.'s land, the ship or raft would still be-
long to A. and W. could recover no damage ; but
then A. must take away his ship or raft in a rea-
sonable time. Yet in the case where an island
or point of land is removed by the waters, or an
earthquake, upon a neighboring shore, — ^. ought
not the Islanders to keep possession of the super-
fices ? This may be a new case in Europe.
Manners and Customs. — Gravity and a serious
.deportment, together with shyness and bashful-
jiess, generally attend the first communieatjons
324 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
with the inhabitants of Connecticut; but, after a*
short acquaintance, they become very lamiliar
and inquisitive about news, — Who are you,
whence come you, where going, what is your
business, and what your rehgion ? They do not
consider these and similar questions as imper-
tinent, and consequently expect a civil answer.
When the stranger has satisfied their curiosity,
they will treat him with all the hospitality in their
power, and great caution must be observed to get
quit of them and their houses without giving them
offence. If the stranger has cross and difficult
roads to travel, they will go with him till all dan-
ger is past, without fee or reward. The stranger
ilas nothing to do but civilly to say, " Sir, I thank
you, and will call upon you when I return." He
must not say, "God bless you, I shall be glad to
see you at my house," unless he is a minister;
b('cause they hold, that the words " God bless
you" should not be spoken by common people ;
and, " I shall be glad to see you at my house,"
they look upon as an insincere compliment paid
them for what they do out of duty to the stranger.
Their hospitality is highly , exemplary ; they are
sincere in it, and reap great pleasure by reflect-
ing that perhaps they have entertained angels.
The Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, in one of his
sermons, gave them the following character : " I
have found," said he, " the people of Connecticut
the wisesjt of any upoji the continent — they are
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 225
the best friends and the worst enemies — they are
hair-brained bigots on all sides — and they may
be compared to the horse and mule without bit
and bridle. In other colonies I have paid for my
food and lodging ; but could never spend one
penny in fruitful Connecticut, whose banks flow
with milk and honey, and whose sons and daugh-
ters never fail to feed and refresh thtj weary tra-
veller without money and without price."
On Saturday evenings the people look sour and
sad : on the Sabbath they appear to have lost
their dearest friends, and are almost speechless,
and walk softly ; they even observe it with more
exactness than ever did the Jews. A quaker
preacher told them, with much truth, that they
worshipped the Sabbath, and not the God of the
Sabbath. Those hospitable people without cha-
rity condemned the quaker as a blasphemer of
the holy Sabbath, fined, tarred and feathered him,
put a rope about his neck, and plunged him into
the sea: but he escaped with life, though he was
above seventy years of age. In 1750, an episco-
pal clergyman, born and educated in England,
who had been in holy orders above twenty years,
once broke their sabbatical law, by combing a
discomposed lock of hair on the top of his wig ;
at another time by making a humming noise,
which they called a whistling ; at a third time, by
walking too fast from church ; at a fourth by run-
ning into church when it" rained; at a fifth by
226 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
walking in his garden, and picking a banch of
grnpes : for which several crimes he was com-
plained of by the grand jury, had warrants grant-
ed against him, was seized, brought to trial, and
paid a considerable sum of money. At last, over-
whelmed with persecution and vexation, he cried
out," No Br!ton, nay no Jew, should assume any
public character in Connecticut, till he has served
an apprenticeship often years in it; for I have been
here seven years, and strictly observed the Jewish
law concerning the Sabbath, yet find myself re-
miss in respect to the perfect laic of liberty /"
The people are extremely ibnd of strangers
past-ing through the colony, but very averse to
foreigners settling among them ; which few have
done without ruin to their characters and fortunes
hy detraction and law-suits, unless recommended
as men of grace by some known and revered re-
publican protestant in Europe. The following
story may be amusing :
^ An English gentleman, during a short residence
in a certain town, had the good luck to receive
some civilities from the Deacon, Minister, and
Justice. The Deacon had a daughter, without
beauty, but sensible and rich. The Briton (for
that was the name he went by,) having received a
present from the West Indies, of some pine ap-
ples and sweatmeats, sent his servant with part of
it to the Deacon's daughter, to whom, at the
same time he addressed a complimentary note.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 22t
begging Miss would accept the pine apples and
sweatmeats, and wishing he might be able to
make her a better present. Miss, on reading the
note, was greatly alarmed, and exclaimed " Ma-
ma ! Mama ! Mr. Briton has sent me a love-let-
ter." The mother read the note, and shewed it
to the Deacon ; and, after due consideration, both
agreed in pronouncing it a love-letter. The law-
yer, justice, and parson, were then sent for, who
in council weighed every word in the note, to-
gether with the golden temptation which the la-
dy possessed, and were of opinion that the writer
was in love, and that the note was a love-letter,
but worded so carefully that the law could not
punish Briton for attempting to court Miss with-
out obtaining her parents' consent. The parson
wrung his hands, rolled up his eyes, shrugged up
his shoulders, groaned out his hypocritical grief,
and said, " Deacon, I hope you do not blame me
for having been the innocent cause of your know-
ing this imprudent and haughty Briton. There
is something very odd in all the Britons ; but I
thought this man had some prudence and modes-
ty : however, Deacon," putting his hand on his
breast, and bowing with a pale, deceitful face,
"I shall in future shun all the Britons, for they
are all strange creatures." The lawyer and jus-
tice made their apologies, and were sorry that
Briton did not consider the quality of the Dea-
con's daughter before he wrote his letter. Miss,
228 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
all apprehension and tears, at finding no punish-
ment could reach Briton in the course of law,
cried out to her counsellors, " Who is Briton ?
Am I not the Deacon's daughter? What have I
done that he should take such liberties with me r
Is he not the natural son of some priest or found-
ling? Ought he not to be exposed for his assu-
rance to the Deacon's daughter?"
Her words took effect. The council voted that
they would show their contempt of Briton by neg-
lecting him for the time to come. On his return
home, the parson, after many and great signs of
surprize, informed his wife of the awful event
which had happened by the imprudence of Briton.
She soon communicated the secret to her sister
gossips, prudently cautioning them not to report
it as from her. But, not content with that, the
parson himself went among all his acquaintance,
shaking his head and saying " O Sirs ! have you
heard of the strange conduct of friend Briton ? —
how he wrote a love-letter, and sent it with some
pine-apples to the Deacon's daughter? My wife
and I had a great friendship for Briton, but cannot
see him any more." Thus the afflicted parson
told this important tale to every one except Briton,
who, from his ignorance of the story, conducted
himself in his usual manner towards his supposed
friends, though he observed they had a show of
haste and business whenever he met with any of
them. Happily for Briton, he depended not on
HISTORY OV CONNECTICUT. 229
the Deacon, Minister, or Colony, for his support.
At last, a Scotchman heard of the evil tale, and
generously told Briton of it, adding that the par-
son was supposed to be in a deep decline merely
from the grief and fatigue he had endured in
spreading it. Briton thajiked the Scotchman, and
called on the friendly parson to know the particu-
lars of his offence. The parson, with sighs,
bows, and solemn smirkings, answered " Sir, the
fact is, you wrote a love-letter to the Deacon's
daughter, without asking her parents' consent,
which has given great offence to ihat lady, and to
all her acquaintance, of whom I and my wife
have the honor to be reckoned a part." Briton
kept his temper. " So then," said he, " I have
offended you by my insolent note to the Deacon's
daughter! I hope my sin is venial. Pray, Sir,
have you seen my note?" "Yes," replied the
parson, " to my grief and sorrow : I could not
have thought you so imprudent, had I not seen
and found the note to be your own writintr."
•'How long have you known of this offence?"
"Some months." "Why, Sir, did you not sea-
sonably admonish me for this crime ?" " I was
so hurt and grieved, and my friendship so great,
I could not bear to tell you." Mr. Briton then
told the parson, that his hiendship was so fine
and subtle, it was invisible to an English eye i
and that Gospel ministers in England did not
prove their friendship by telling calumnious sto.
20
ioO HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
lies to every body but the peson coricernecl.
" But I suppose," added he, " this is genuine
New-England friendship, and merits thanks more
than a supple-jack !" The parson, with a leering
look, sneaked away towards his wife ; and Briton
left the colony without any civil or ecclesiastical
punishment, telling the Scotchman that the Dea-
con's daughter had money, and the parson faith
without eyes, or he should never have been ac-
cused of making love to one who was naturally
so great an enemy to Cupid. Of such or worse
sort being the reception foreign settlers may ex-
pect from the inhabitants of Connecticut, it is no
wonder that few or none choose to venture among
,if<&'them.
The custom of settling and dismissing a sober
dissenting minister is very singular. All the pa-
rishioners meet and vote to apply to the associa-
tion for a candidate ; and one is accordingly sent.
If he pleases, the people vote to give him a call ;
if he accepts the call, the actual communicants,
and they alone, make the covenant between him
and them as Christ's church, and thus they are
mamed to him. After the candidate is ordained,
others, by acknowledging and swearing to support
the covenant, become married to him also. —
£N. B. Baptism is not suihcient to take them out
of their natural state.] The call is an invitation
from the parishioners to the candidate to take
upon him the ministerial office of their church,
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 231
on condition that he be allowed 300Z. or 40- ^
settlement, and, perhaps, ]y)Ql. salary, besides
wood, &.c: &c. during his residence among them
in that capacity. The candidate, after lookiiJ*r
round him, and finding no better terms oifered
from any other parish, answers in this manner :
•'Brethren and friends, I have considered of your
call ; and after many fastings and prayers, I find
it to be the call of God, and close with your of-
fer." The church then appoints a day for hi- or-
dination, and the ministers who shall assist in the
ceremony, which is as follows: 1. The meeting
is opened with a hymn : 2. Some one makes a
prayer : 3. Another hymn succeeds : 4. A ser-
mon : 5. Another prayer : 6. The covenant is
read : 7. The prayer of consecration, with impo-
sition of hands by the ministers : 8. The right
hand of fellowship, which conveys that half of
ministerial power which I have already spoken of
as communicated by the churches : 9. The
charge; that is, to behave well in the office
whereto God has called him : 10. A prayer : 11.
Another hymn: U. The young minister dismisses
with his benediction. Numerous as the ceremo-
nies are in a minister's ordination, there are but
few judged necessary in dismissing him— a majo-
rity of the church is enough to turn the minister
from bed and board, or, in their languaoe, " to
divorce him ;"— which happens more frequently
than is decent. The minister has no remedy but
2^ HISTORY OP CONNEe!TICl?T.
in appealing to the association, which step enti-
tles him to his salary till dismissed by ihai power-
ful body.
Incontinency, intemperance, lying, and idleness,
are the common accusations brought against the-
minister, but seldom founded in truth, and yet al-
ways proved by knights of the post. However, the
minister carries off his settlement, in case he is
dismissed for immoralities, but not if he turns
churchman; then his old parishioners are mean
enough to sue for the settlement. A recent in-
stance of this kind happened at New-London,
where the minister. Doctor Mather Byles, desired
a dismission, which was given him ; but, finding
the Doctor's design was to become a churchman,
the people demanded the settlement given him
twelve years before. The Doctor, with a spirit
worthy of himself and his venerable ancestors, re-
turned the money with " You are welcome to it,
since it proves to the world that you could not
accuse me of any thing more agreeable to unge-
nerous minds."
The manner of visiting the sick in this province
is more terrible than charitable. The minister
demands of the sick if he be converted, when,
and where ? If the answers are conformable to
the system of the minister, it is very well ; if not,
the sick is given over as a non-elect, and no ob-
ject of prayer. Another minister is then sent for,
who asks if the sick be willing to die — if he hates
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 233
God — if he be willing to be damned, if it please
God to damn him ? Should he answer No, this
minister quits him as did the former. Finally the
sick man dies, and so falls out of their hands into
better.
Amidst all the darkness of superstition that sur-
rounds the state, the humanity it shows to poor
strangers, seized with sickness in the colony, or
to such persons as are shipwrecked upon its
coasts, shines with distinguished lustre. These
unfortunate sufierers are immediately provided
with necessaries of every kind by order of the se-
lectmen, whose expenses are reimbursed out of
the colony treasury.
Thus is laudably employed a part of the money
allowed for contingencies : but another part is
consumed in a very different manner. It fre-
quently happens that whenever the episcopalians
become so numerous in a parish, as to gain the
ascendancy over the Sober Dissenters, and the
latter cannot, by their own strength, either destroy
the episcopal, or support their own churcli^, the
Governor and Council, with the advice of the
Consociation, kindly relieve them with an annual
grant, out of the public treasury, sometimes to the
amount of the whole sum paid into it by every
denomination in the parish. An act of charity
of this kind lately took place at Chelsea, in Nor-
wich, where the Sober Dissenters were few and
poor, and without a meeting house or minister;
20*
234 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
SO that they were obliged to walk a mile to a
meeting, or go to church. The young people
chose the latter, which alarmed the Sober Dissen-
ters to such a degree, that they applied for and
obtained from the generous Governor and his vir-
tuous Council dOOl. per annum out of the public
treasury, besides the duties on the vessels of
churchmen at that port. This largition enabled
them to build a meeting and settle a minister.
When the churchmen complained of this abuse of
public money, the Governor answered, " The
Assembly has the same right to support Chris-
tianity, as the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in foreign parts, or the Parliament of Great
Britain."
The murmurs of the people, on the collection
of the revenue, bespeak embezzlements of another
kind. It should seem that they believed the
General Assembly to be in the same predicament
the Devil thought Job was, when he said, ^'Doth
Job serve God for noughtV^
Estates in Connecticut pass from generation to
generation by gavelkind ; so that there are fe<v
persons, except of the laboring class, who have
not freeholds of their own to cultivate. A gene-
ral mediocrity of station being thus constitution-
ally promoted, it is no wonder that the rich man
is despised, and the poor man's blessing is his
poverty. In no part of the world are les petits
and Us grands so much upon a par as here, where
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 235
none of the people are destitute of the convenien-
ces of life, and the spirit of independence. From
infancy, their education as citizens points out no
distinction between licentiousness and liberty;
and their religion is so muffled with superstition,
self-love, and provincial enmity, as not yet to
have taught them that humility and respect for
others, which from others they demand. Not-
withstanding these effects of the levelling plan,
there are many exceptions to be found in the pro-
vince, of gentlemen of large estates and generous
principles.
The people commonly travel on horseback ;
and the ladies are capable of teaching their
neighbors the art of horsemanship. There are
few coaches in the colony : but many chaises and
whiskeys. In winter, the sleigh is used ; a vehi-
cle drawn by two horses, and carrying six persons
in its box, which hangs on four posts standing on
two steel sliders, or large skates.
Dancing, fishing, hunting, skating, and riding
in sleighs on the ice, are all the amusements al-
lowed in this colony.
Smuggling is rivetted in the constitutions and
practice of the inhabitants of Connecticut, as
much as superstition and religion ; and their pro-
vince is a storehouse for the smugglers of the
neighboring colonies. They conscientiously stu-
dy to cheat the King of those duties which, they
say God apd nature never intended should be
^36 HISTORY OF C0NNECT1C¥T.
paid. From the governor down to the tithing^
man, wlio are sworn to support the laws, they will
aid smugglers, resist collectors, and mob inform-
ers. This being a popular government, all the
officers are appointed by the free-holders. There
are very severe laws against bribery. The candi-
dates are not suffered to give a dmner, or a glass
of cider, on the day of election, to a voter. In-
deed, bribery is the next greatest crime to the
breach of the Sabbath ; yet open bribery as es-
tablished by custom immemorial in Rhode-Island,
is more praise-worthy than the practice of Con-
necticut. I will give the reader some idea of the
mode in which an election is managed in Con-
necticut. All the voters in a township convene
in the town meeting-house. One of the minis-
ters, after prayers, preaches from some such text
as, " Jabez was more honorable than all his hreth-
reny The people keep their seats, while the
constables take their votes in a box; and. if a
voter has not his vote written, the constable gives
him one. So Jabez is elected ; and the meeting
is coiicluded with a prayer of thanks to the Lord
God of Israel for " turning the hearts of his people
against the enemies of Zion, and for uniting them
in Jabez, the man after his own heart." The
manner in which the preacher treats his text^
will more particularly appear from the animadver-
sion of a certain qu*iker on one of these occasions.
*' Friend," said he to the pedagogue, "I do thee
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 2S7
BD wrong in telling thee that thou hast prayed
and preached against bribery, but forgot to keep
thy tongue from speaking evil against thy neigh-
bor. Dost thou think the Lord will regard thy
preaching so much as the voters whom thou dost
call freemen ? If thou believest it, thou hast bribed
not only the people, but the Lord also, to reject
Ebenezer and Benjamin." The preacher called
upon the constable to take away this babbler, and
open the meeting; which was done, and Ebe-
nezer and Benjamin were rejected by the voters.
The men, in general, throughout the province,
are tall, stout, and robust. The greatest care is
taken of the limbs and bodies of infants, which
are kept strait by means of a board ; a practice
learnt of the Indian women, who abhor all crook-
ed people : so that deformity is here a rarity.
' Another custom derived from the Indians is, to
welcome a new-born infant into the world with
urine and honey, the effects of which are wonder-
ful; and hence it is that at groanings there are
always a little boy and a rattle-snake's skin, the
latter of which prevents numbness and the cramp.
The women are fair, handsome, genteel./ They
have, indeed, adopted various customs of the In-
dian women ; but cannot learn, like them, how
to support the pains of child-bearing without a
groan. A^aturalists and surgeons have not been
able to assign a reason why a negro woman should
have a hundred pains, a white woman ten, and
238 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
an Indian none. Some have said that the fatigues
and hardships which the negroes endure, are
the cause ; but the Indians undergo many more :
others have said it is owing to the change of
chmate; but this is suppletory : — while tiiC en-
thusiastic divines attribute it to the sin of Eve,
and to the curse laid on the Cana: nites. The
Deists ask those divines, if Eve was not the
common mother of the white, black, and cop-
per colored women ; and how it appears that ne-
groes are the descendants of the people of Ca-
naan ? Their answer is, all nature is mystery.
.^'' The women of Connecticut are strictly virtu-
ous, and to be compared to the prude rather than
the European polite lady. Tiicy are not permit-
ted to read plays ; cannot converse about whist,
quadrille, or operas; but will freely talk upon the
subjects of history, geography, and the mathe-
matics. They are great casuists, and polemical
divines; and I have known not a few of them so
well skilled in Greek and Latin, as often to put
to the blush learned gentlemen.
Notwithstanding ti»e modesty of the females is
such, that it would be accounted the greatest
rudeness for a gentleman to speak before a lady
of a garter, knee, or leg, yet it is thought but a
piece of civility to ask her to bundle; a custom
as old as the first settlement in 1G34. It is cer-
tainly innocent, virtuous, and prudent; or the
puritans would not have permitted it to prevail
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 23&
umong their offspring, for whom in general they
would suffer crucifixion. Children brought up
with the chastest ideas, with so much religion, as
to believe that the omniscient God sees them in
the dark, and that angels guard them when ab-
sent from their parents, will not, nay, cannot, act
a wicked thing. People who are influenced more
by lust, than a serious ftith in God, who is too
pure to behold iniquity with approbation, ought
never to bundle. If any man, thus a stranger to
the love of virtue, of God, and the christian reli*
gion, should bundle with a young lady in New^
England, and behave himself unseemly towards
her, he must first melt her into passion, and ex-
pel heaven, death, and hell, from her mind, or he
will undergo the chastisement of negroes turned
mad — if he escape with life, it will be owing to
the parents flying from their bed to protect him.
The Indians, who had this method of courtship,
when the English arrived among them in 1634,
are the most chaste set of people in the woild.
(/oncubinage and fornication are vices, none of
them are addicted to, except such as forsake the
laws of Hobbamockow and turn christians. The
savages have taken many female prisoners, car-
ried them back three hundred miles into their
country, and kept them several years, and yet not
a single instance of their violating the laws of
chastity has ever been known. This cannot be
said of the French, or of the English, whenever
"240 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Indian or other women have fallen into their
hands. I am no advocate for temptation; yet
must say, that bundling has prevail )d 160 years
in New-England, and, I verily believe, with ten
times more chastity than the sitting on a sofa. I
had daughters, and speak from near forty years'
experience. Bimdlmg takes place only in cold
seasons of the year — the sofa in summer is more
dangerous than the bed in winter. About the
year 1756, Boston, Salem, Newport, and New-
York, resolving to be more polite than their an-
cestors, forbade their daughters bundling on the
bed with any young men whatever, and intro-
duced a sofa to render courtship more palatable
and Turkish. Whatever it was owing to, whe-
ther to the sofa^ or any uncommon excess of the
feud'esprit, there went abroad a report, that this
rqffinage produced more natural consequences
than all th" bundling among the boors with their
rurales pedantes, through every village in New-
England besides.
In 1776, a clergyman from one of the polite
towns, went into the country, and preached
against the unchristian custom of young men and
maidens lying together on a bed. He was no
sooner out of the church, than attacked by a
shoal of good old women, with " Sir, do you think
we and our daughters arc naughty, bec?;use we
allow ofbundlingV^ "You lead yourselves into
temptation by it." They all replied at once,
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 241
" Sir, have you been told thus, or has experience
taught it you ?" The Levite began to lift up his
eyes, and to consider of his situation, and bow-
ing, said " I have been told so." The ladies una
voce., bawled out, " Your informants, Sir, we con-
clude, are those city ladies who prefer a sofa to a
bed : we advise you to alter your sermon, by sub-
stituting the word sofa for bundling, and on your
return home, preach it to them : for experience
has told us that city folks send more children into
the country without fathers or mothers to own
them, than are born among us ; therefore, you
see, a sofa is more dangerous than a bed." The
poor priest, seemingly convinced of his blunder,
exclaimed, "J\^ec vitia nostra, nee remedia pati
possumus,^^ hoping hereby to get rid of his guests :
but an old matron pulled off her spectacles, and,
looking the priest in the face like a Roman hero-
ine, said, ^^JVoliputare me hcBC auribus tuis dareJ'"'
Others cried out to the priest to explain his Latin.
" The English," said he, '^ is this ; Wo is me that
I sojourn in Meseck, and dwell in the tents of
Kedar !" One pertly retorted, Gladii decussati
sunt gemina presbyteri clavis. The priest con-
fessed his error, begged pardon, and promised
never more to preach against bundling, or to
think amiss of the custom ; the ladies generously
forgave him, and went away.
It may seem very strange to find this custom of
bundling in bed attended with so much innocence
21
242 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
in New-England, while in Europe it is thought
not safe or scarcely decent to permit a young
man and maid to be together in private any
where. But in this quarter of the old world the
Yiciousness of the one, and the simplicity of the
other, are the result merely of education and ha-
bit. It seems to be a part of heroism, among the
polished nations of it, to sacrifice the virtuous
fair-one, whenever an opportunity offers, and
thence it is concluded that the same principles
actuate those of the new world. It is egregious-
ly absurd to judge of all countries by one. In
Spain, Portugal, and Italy, jealousy reigns ; in
France, England, and Holland, suspicion ; in the
West and East Indies, lust; in New-England,
superstition. These four blind deities govern
Jews, Turks, Christians, Infidels, and Heathen.
Superstition is the most amiable. She sees no
vice with approbation but persecution, and self-
preservation is the cause of her seeing that. My
insular readers will, I hope, believe me, when I
tell them, that I have seen, in the West Indies,
naked boys and girls, some fifteen or sixteen
years of age, waiting at table and at tea, even
when twenty or thirty virtuous English ladies
were in the room ; who were under no more
embarrassment at such an awful sight in the eyes
of English people that have not travelled abroad,
than they would have been at the sight of so many
servants in livery. Shall we censure the ladies
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 243
of the West Indies as vicious above all their sex,
on account of this local custom? By no means;
for long experience has taught the world that the
West Indian white ladies are virtuous prudes.
Where superstition reigns, fanaticism will be mi-
nister of state; and the people, under the taxa-
tion of zeal, will shun what is commonly called
vice with ten times more care than the polite and
civilized christians, who know what is right and
what is wrong from reason and revelation. Hap-
py would it be for the world, if reason and revela-
tion were suffered to control the mind and pas-
sions of the great and wise men of the earth, as
superstition does that of the simple and less po-
lished ! When America shall erect societies for
the promotion of chastity in Europe, in return for
the establishment of European arts in the Ameri-
can capitals, then Europe will discover that there
is more christian philosophy in American bund-
ling than can be found in the customs of nations
more polite.
I should not have said so much about bundling,
had not a learned Divine* of the English church
published his Travels through some parts of
America, wherein this remarkable custom is re-
presented in an unfavorable light, aud as prevai^l-
ing among the loioer class of people. The truth
is, the custom prevails among all classes, to the
*Pr. Burnaby.
244 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
great honor of the country, its religion, and la-
dies. The virtuous may be tempted; but the
tempter is despised. Why it should be thought
incredible for a young man and a young woman
innocently and virtuously to lie down together in
a bed with a great part of their clothes on, I can-
not conceive. Human passions may be alike in
every region ; but religion, diversified as it is,
operates differently in different countries. Upon
the whole, had I daughters now, I would venture
to let them bundle on the bed, or even on the
sofa, after a proper education, sooner than adopt
the Spanish mode of forcing young people to
prattle only before the lady's mother the chitchat
of artless lovers. CouM the four quarters of the
world produce a more chaste, exemplary, and
beautiful company of wives and daughters than
are in Connecticut, I should not have remaining
one favorable sentiment for the province. But
the soil, the rivers, the ponds, the ten thousand
landscapes, together with the virtuous and lovely
women which now adorn the ancient kingdoms
of Connecticote, Sassacus, and Quinnipiog, would
tempt me into the highest wonder and admira-
tion of them, could they once be freed of the
skunk, the moping-owl, rattle-snake, and fanatic
christian.
My readers will naturally be desirous of infor-
mation in what manner the people of Connecti-
cut conducted themselves in regard to the stamp-
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 245
act, which has proved the subject of so much
speculation and controversy both in America and
Europe : I will, therefore, give a particular ac-
count of their proceedings concerning it; which
will perhaps appear to have been of far greater
consequence than is generally supposed in Eng-
land.
The American colonists were no sooner extri-
cated from all danger of Gallic depredation by
the peace of 1763, than they began to manifest
symptoms of ingratitude and rebellion against
their deliverers. Connecticut, on several ac-
countSj particularly that of its /ree constitution in
church and state, which prevented every inter-
ruption from a King's Governor, was fixed upon
as the fittest site for raising the first fruits of jea-
lousy and disaffection. Nor did the hatred, which
kept the province at eternal strife within itself on
all other occasions, prevent its political coinci-
dence upon this. In 1764, delegates from every
dissenting association in America convened at
New-Haven, and settled the plan of operations.
They voted, that the American vine was endan-
gered by the encroachments of the English Par-
liament, and the Society for the Propagation of
the Gospel in foreign parts ; that episcopacy was
established in Nova Scotia, and missionaries
maintained by the English government, while
New-England and other American states were
taxed to support that same government ; that a
21*
246 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
league and covenant ought to be made and sign-
ed by all good protestants against the machina-
tions of their enemies, and in defence of their
civil and religious liberties ; that it was the duty
of all good protestants to stand upon their guard,
and collect and send every kind of interestinjr in-
telligence to the Moderator at Hertford, whose
business would be to communicate the same in
his circular letters to the true friends of protes-
tant liberty.
In my opinion, whoever does not perceive the
spirit cf civil as well as religious independence in
this convention, and these resolutions of dissent-
ing divines, must be politically blind.
Whilst Mr. Grenville was exerting his fanatical
faculties for the relief of the mother country,
ready to sink under the load of expense brought
upon her by that war which had opened an ave-
nue to highest exaltation for her American off-
spring, Connecticut was early advertised by mer-
chants, divines, and ladies, in England, that the
parliament was about to give the colonies a spe-
cimen of English burthens. The consociation
ordered a fast, to deprecate the threatened judg-
ments. This fast was served up with sermons
pointing out the reigns of wicked kings, and
what the fathers of the howling wilderness of
America had suffered from the Kings, Lords, and
Bishops, in the last century ; and concluded with.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 247
" One woe is past, and behold, there come two
woes more hereafter !"
A requisition having been made in 1763 that
each colony in America should raise a revenue to
assist Great Britain in discharging the national
debt, which had been partly incurred at their re-
quest, and for their preservation, the General As-
sembly was instructed by Dr. Franklin and others
how to act. Accordingly, the Assembly resolved
not to raise any money towards the national debt
or any national expenses, till the Parliament should
remove the navigation act, which they said was ad-
vantageous to Great Britain, and disadvantageous
to America ; and, therefore. Great Britain, in de-
fraying the whole of the national expense, did
nothing more than justice required, so long as
that act should be continued. Such were the
arguments and resolutions of the General Assem-
bly, although their agent in England had informed
them, that, if they refused to comply with the re-
quisition of the minister, the Parliament would
tax them.
The agent's intelligence proved to be well
grounded. In 1765, the Stamp act passed, be-
cause the colonies had refused to tax themselves.
News so important soon arrived in America ; and
the consociation of Connecticut appointed an-
other fast, and ordered the angels to sound their
trumpets, arid great plagues followed. Thomas
Fitch, the Governor, shewed some dislike to the
248 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
proceedings of the consociation, but was given to
understand that Christ's ministers acted by an
authority superior to that of the Governor or a
King. The episcopalians, and many sects, saw
no reason for keeping the fast ; but the Governor
observed it with a view to secure his election the
next year, and was successful. The episcopa-
lians were rewarded for their disobedience with
what is called "A new religious Comic Liturgy,"
which was printed and circulated through the
colony as the performance of Doctor Franklin,
and acted in many towns by the young people on
evenings, by way of sport and amusement. The
Litany was altered in many places, especially in
the paragraphs respecting the King, Nobility, &c.
and instead of " We beseech thee to hear us,
good Lord !" was substituted, " We beseech thee,
O Cromwell ! to hear [our prayers] us" — "O holy,
blessed, and glorious Trinity !" was altered thus.
" O Chatham ! Wilkes ! and Franklin ! have mer-
cy upon us." " From plague, pestilence, famine"
&c. was followed by, "O Cromwell ! deliver us."
An episcopal clergyman had courage enough to
complain of these blasphemous proceedings, and
the grand jury indicted the comic actors ; but the
magistrate to whom the complaint was made, re-
fused to grant a warrant, using worse malediction
against the King than was contained in the lu-
dicrous Litany. Hereupon the grand jury in-
dicted the magistrate for high treason, but no
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 249
magistrate could be found of resolution enough
to grant a warrant against the traitor. However,
the Comic Liturgy was acted but privately after-
wards, and, upon the repeal of the stamp-act, was
suppressed as far as they could do it.
This second fast was sanctified with preaching
on this and similar texts, — " And there arose a
new King in Egypt who remembered not Jo-
seph ;" and with praying God to grant the King
a heart of flesh, and to remove popery out of the
British parliament.
The stamp-act was to take place in November,
1765 ; some months before which the stamp-mas-
ter, Jared Ingersoll, Esq. who had been the colo-
ny's agent in England, arrived at New-Haven in
Connecticut In September, a special Assembly
was convened at Hertford, for the purpose of con-
sidering what steps to take. As if to avoid ac-
knowledging the supremacy of the British Parlia-
ment, they determined not to apply themselves
for the repeal of the act ; but secretly encoura-
ged a number of lawyers, merchants, and divines,
to meet, by their own authority, at New-York,
for that purpose. In the meantime, three mobs
were raised under Durgy, Leach, and Parsons^
who by different routes marched towards New-
Haven, to sei^e the stamp-master. They suc-
ceeded ; and, having brought their prisoner be-
fore the Assembly-house at Hertford, they gave^
him the alternative to resign or die. Mr. Inger-
250 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
soil appealed several times by confidential mes-
sengers to the Assembly then sitting, but finding
them inclined to countenance the mob, he was
forced to resign, and authenticate the same by
whirling first his hat and next his wig three times
round his head, and then into the air ; whilst the
General Assembly and Consociation (which last
venerable body never fails to be ready with its
counsel and assistance on all salutary occasions)
shouted with the multitude, from their windows,
at the glorious achievement.
This special Assembly, having sufficiently ma-
nifested the part they wished the colony to take,
broke up, leaving further proceedings to the
mob,* who continued to act up to the specimen
*The following instance will show that a Connecticut
mob of Sober Dissenters is not inferior to a London nx)b of
drunken conformists, either in point of ingenuity, low humor,
or religious mockery.
The stamp-master was declared by the mob at Hertford to
be dead. The mob at Lebanon undertook to send In-
GERSoi,L to his own place. They made three effigies: one
to represent Mr. Grenville; another Ingersoll ; and a third
the Devii. The last was dressed with a wig, hat, and black
coat given by parson Solomon WilHams, of Lebanon. Mr.
Grenville was honored with a hat, wig, and coat, a present
from Mr. Jonathan Trumbull, who was afterwards chosen
Governor. Mr. Ingersoll was dressed in red, with a lawyer's
wig, a wooden sword, and his hat under his arm, by the
generosity of Joseph Trumbull. Thus equipped, the effi-
gies were put into a cart with ropes about their necks, and
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
MOB AT LEBANON,
Carrying certain obnoxious characters in effigy to the gallows
(Page 250.)
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 251
already given ; and to the congress at New-York,
which met there accordingly, agreed upon and
transmitted to England a petition for a repeal of
the obnoxious act.
drawn towards the gallows. A dialogue ensued between
the criminals. Some friendship seemed to subsist between
Mr. Grenville and the Devil, while nothing but sneers and
^rowns passed the Devil to Ingersoll; and the fawning re-
verence of the latter gave his infernal highness such offence,
that he turned up his breech and discharged fire, brimstone,
and tar, in Ingersoll's face ; setting him all in a blaze ;
which, however, Mr. Grenville generously extinguished
v/ith a squirt. This was many times repeated. As the
procession advanced, the mob exclaimed, "Behold the just
reward of our agent, who sold himself to Grenville, like Ju-
das, at a price I" In this manner the farce was continued
till midnight, at which time they arrived at the gallows;
where a person in a long shirt, in derision of the surplice of
a church clergyman, addressed the criminals with republi-
can atticisms, ralleries, «fcc. concluding thus: " May your
deaths be tedious and intolerable, and may your souls sink
quick down to hell, the residence of tyrants, traitors, and
devils I" The effigies were then turned off, and, after hang-
ing some time, were hoisted upon a huge pile of wood,
and burnt, that their bodies might share a similar fate
with their souls. This pious transaction exalted the cha-
racter of Mr. Trumbull, and facilitated his election to the
office of Governor : and what was of further advantage to
him, his mob judged that the bones of Ingersoll's effigy
merited christian burial according to the rites of the church
of England, though he had been brought up a Sober Dis-
senter ; and resolved therefore, to bury his bones in Hebron.
Accordingly thither they repaired ; and, after having made
252 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
The October session of the General Assembly
is always holden at New-Haven : there and then
they were informed by Mr. Dyer,* who had made
a coffin, dug- a grave in a cross street, and made every other
preparation for the interment, they sent for the episcopal
clergyman there to attend the iuneral of the bones of Inger-
soll the traitor. The clergyman told the messengers that
neither his office nor person were to be sported with, nor
was it his business to bury Sober Dissenters^ who abuse the
cliurch while living. The mob, enraged at this answer,
ordered a party to bring the clergyman by force, or send
him to hell after Ingersoll. This alarmed the people of
the town, who instantly loaded their muskets in defence of
the clergyman. Thus checked in their mad career, the
mob contented themselves with a solemn funeral procession'
drums beating, and horns blowing, and buried the coffin in
the cross street, one of the pantomimes bawling out, — We
commit this traitor's bones to the earth, ashes to dust, and
dust to ashes, in sure and certain hope that his soul is in hell
with all tories and enemies of Zion. Then, having driven
a stake through the coffin, and each cast a stone upon the
grave, they broke a few windows, cursed such clergymen
as rode in chaises, and were above the control of God's peo-
ple, and went off with a witless saying, viz. — " It is better
to live with the church miUtant, than with the chuich tri-
umphant."
* This Mr. Dyer had been in England, had petitioned for,
■and, through Dr. Franklins interest, obtained a new office
at the port of New-London, viz. that of Comptroller ; but
afterwards had thought proper to resign that office, in or-
der to be made a judge of the superior court and one of the
council, — and, forsooth, that a stranger only might serve
the King of Great Britain in the character of o. publican in
-Connecticut.
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 253
one of the petitioners at New-York, that it was
recommended by the Congress, for the colonial
Governors to take the oath prescribed by the
stamp act. The General Assembly, however,
voted that the Governor of Connecticut should
not take it; and moreover determined to continue
Mr. Fitch in his office, notwithstanding the dis-
franchisement incident on his refusal, if he would
be guided by their advice; and the Rev. Mr.
Ebenezer Devotion, one of the Representatives,
and Eliphalet Dyer (above mentioned,) one of
the council, offered to pay the imposed fine of
1,000/. However, the Governor presented him-
self before the Council, whose business it was to
administer the oath; but which, it is thought,
Mr. Fitch presumed would be denied, and there-
fore artfully devised this means at once of avoid-
ing the oath, and shifting the penalties from him-
self upon them. Seven out of twelve, suspecting
the Governor's design, put their fingers in their
ears, shuffled their feet, and ran groaning out of
the house ; the other five staid, and administered
the oath, with a view to save themselves and the
charter, and direct the wrath of the people against
the Governor ; but in this they were mistaken, in-
curring in common with him the odium of the
patriots.
The stamp-act having thus gained footing, the
Assembly broke up. Legal proceedings also
were discontinued, and the courts of justice shut.
22
254 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
The Consociations and Associations kept fre-
quent fasts of their own appointment, praying
and preaching against Roman Catholic rulers,
Arminian governors, and false-hearted counsel-
lors, and episcopizing curates. Hereupon the
mobs became outrageous ; sedition was law, and
rebellion gospel. The stamp-master was called
a traitor to his country, and the episcopalians
enemies to Zion and liberty.
The fastings, prayers, and riots, brought about
a revolution in the colony. Fitch, who had ta-
ken, and the five assistants who had administered,
the oath, as well as many officers both civil and
military, who declined to take a rebellious part,
were dismissed from their posts ; and a new Go-
vernor, other counsellors, &,c. were chosen, and
the people fitted for every kind of mischief; all,
however, under the pretence of religion and li-
berty. The patriotic Mr. Dyer distinguished
himself by furnishing the fasting ministers with
proper materials to inflame the minds of the peo-
ple against the just demands of the King. One
of his Machiavelian dogmas was, that the King
claimed the colonies as his patrimony, and in-
tended to raise a revenue in each province ; and
that, having gained this point, his purpose was to
govern England by America, and America by
England, and thereby subvert liberty and estab-
lish tyranny in both, as the Kings of France had
done by means of the various parliaments in that
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 255
country. Mr. Dyer declared he had this informa-
tion from the best authority in England ; and
added, that the liberties of both countries de-
pended on America resisting the stamp-act, even
unto blood. These and such like reveries sup-
plied the ministers of the gospel with a great body
of political divinity, and the mob with courage to
break churchmen's windows, and cry out, " No
Bishops ! no popery ! nor Kings^ Lords, and Ty-
rants !" Every thing but decency and order
over-run the colony. Indeed, the General As-
sembly kept up their meetings, but it was only to
transact such business as was not affected by the
stamp-act. The mobs of the fasting ministers
continued their lawless proceedings, without fur-
ther interruption and impediment than what they
met with from the strenuous exertions of the
King's friends, who had repeatedly saved the lives
of the stamp-master. Governor Fitch, the five re-
jected counsellors, the episcopal clergy, and
many good subjects, at the hazard of their own,
though they could not preserve them from daily
abuse and insult.
The mobs, having been spirited up and trained
to violence and outrage for several months, be-
gan to give some alarm even to their instigators,
especially as they were hitherto disappointed in
their expectations of the act being repealed.
The Governor and Council, therefore, directing
their attention to the dangerous consequences of
256 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
the lawless state and refractory temper the peo-
ple were in, and being struck with the foresight
of their own perilous situation, resolved, early in
1766, to open the courts of law under the stamp act,
if the very next packet did not bring certain ad-
vice of its repeal ; and, all parties, who had cau-
ses depending in any court, were to be duly noti-
fied by the Governor's proclamation. This de-
termination was no less mortifying to the mob
than grateful to the King's friends, who were
convinced that the stamp-act ought, both in poli-
cy and justice, to be enforced, and therefore had
risked their lives, fortunes, characters, and colo-
nial honors in its support. The patriots, now ap-
parently sickened with licentiousness, became
very complaisant to the loyalists, declaring that,
in all their opposition to the stamp-act, they had
meant nothing personal, and desiring to have past
animosities buried in oblivion. All things thus
settled, tranquillity seemed to be returning;
when lo ! the packet arrived with the fatal news
of the repeal of the stamp-act. Then a double
portion of madness seized the patriots, who, in
their excess of joy, 'Mhat victory was gained over
the beast, and over his mark," utterly forgot their
late penitential and tranquil professions ; brand-
ing the King's friends with the appellations of
tories, Jacobites, and papists. The gospel minis-
ters left off their fasting, and turned their mourn-
ing into joy and triumph. " Now we behold,"
h
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 257
said they in their pulpits, " that Great Britain is
afraid of us; for the stamp-act is repealed, even
upon the petition of an illegal body of men ; if,
therefore, we stand fast in the liberties ivherein
Christ has made us free, we need not fear in fu-
ture the usurpations of the King, Lords, and Bi-
shops of England." The accompanying claim of
Parliament to the power of binding America in
all cases whatsoever, was, indeed, a thorn which
galled them much ; but they found a salvo in or-
dering a copy of the repeal to be burnt under the
gallows by the common hangman. The General
Assembly also stepped forward, and voted the
populace several barrels of powder, and pun-
cheons of rum, together with one hundred pounds
in money, to celebrate the festival. A tremen-
dous mob met together at Hertford, and received
their present. The powder was placed in a
large brick school, and the rum on the common
square. While each one was contending for his
share, the powder took fire, and blew up the
school, killing fifteen or sixteen persons, and
wounding many. This disaster shook the house
where the Consociation were sitting ; upon which
they resolved that Heaven did not approve of
their rejoicings, because the repeal was but par-
tial ! They, therefore, ordered a new fast to do
away the iniquities of that day, and to implore
the Supreme to direct them in what manner to
guard against the machinations of " the locusts^
22*
258 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. ^
who had a king over them, whose name in the
Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek
Apollyon !"
This fast was cooked up with a favorite text in
New-England, viz. " He reproved even Kings for
their sake." From these words the preachers
proved that the King's power lay in his mouth
and in his tail, which, like " a serpent, did hurt
for a month and a year :" and that God would
protect his people against " the murders, the sor-
ceries, the fornication, the thefts," of bishops,
popes, and kings, " and make nations angry, and
give them power to judge and to destroy those
who would destroy his prophets and his saints."
In this day of great humiliation, the prophets en-
tertained the saints with a spice of rejoicing, be-
cause '' Victory was gotten over the beast, and
over his image, and over his mark, and over the
number of his name." "Therefore," said they,
■' rejoice, O inhabitants of the earth and of the
sea, because we can yet buy and sell without the
mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of
his namey
This bombastic declamation against the autho-
rity of Great Britain raised the passions of a great
portion of the multitude higher than was intend-
ed. They had lately been tutored to form high
notions of their own consequence, had been in-
toxicated with a life of confusion in a lawless
country, and had now no relish for a government
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 259
of any kind whatever : accordingly, inflamed by
the rhapsodies of the preachers, they set them-
selves against that of the colony ; arguing, that,
if the Lord would reprove Kings, Lords, and Bi-
shops,/or their sake, he would also reprove go-
vernors, magistrates and consociations, for their
sake. This revolt of a part of the people was
encouraged and strengthened by the adherents
of Governor Fitch, the five discarded counsellors,
and the loyalists ; so that very formidable bodies
soon appeared in divers towns, threatening de-
struction to the General Assembly, Consociation,
associations, executive courts, &c. &c. Colonel
Street Hall, of Wallingford, a loyalist, was ap-
pointed General over these supreme multi-
tudes. They soon acquainted the General As-
sembly and Consociation, that, by the authori-
ty that England had been reformed, by the same
authority should Connecticut be reformed ; and
Mr. Hall sent a letter to the judges of the county
court, then sitting at New-Haven, purporting,
that it was not agreeable to the people for them
to continue their proceedings, or that any execu-
tions should be granted, and concluding thus :—
" Ye, that have ears to hear, hear what is said
unto you; — for we shall quickly come!" The
judges, without hesitation or adjournment, ran out
of court, and went home as privately as possible.
The merchants, the gospel ministers, the lawyers,
and judges, who had with great zeal inculcated
2C)0 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
the divine right of the people to resist kings,
found themselves in a starving condition under
the exertion of that boasted right. The General
Assembly and Association, however, again con-
vened, and, after much fasting and prayer, re-
solved, that the conduct of Street Hall, Esq. and
his associates, was seditious and treasonable ; and
ordered the Attorney General, Colonel Elihu
Hall, to indict his nephew Street Hall, for trea-
sonable practices. The Attorney General re-
fused to comply with this mandate, whereupon he
was dismissed, and James Hillhouse, Esq. ap-
pointed in his place, who indicted Street Hall;
but no sheriff dared serve the warrant. Street
Hall ordered his people to prepare for battle, and
to be ready at a minute's warning ; and rode
about with one servant in defiance of the Gene-
ral Assembly, who likewise prepared to support
their power. It was most likely that Street Hall
would have prevailed, had an engagement taken
place; for the episcopalians, and all the friends
of Mr. Fitch and the five dismissed counsellors,
would have supported Mr. Hall. But a battle
was prevented by the interposition of the Conso-
ciation with this curious Gospel axiom, viz. that
it was legal and politic in the people to oppose
and resist the foreign power, which was unjustly
claimed by the King of Great Britain ; but it was
neither politic nor right to oppose the magistrates
and laws made by themselves. They prevailed
HISTORY OP CONNECTICUT. 261
on Street Hall to condescend to write to the
General Assembly to this effect : — '* That he was
a friend to the laws and constitution of the
colony, and wished to support both ; and should
do it, on condition that they would rescind their
vote, and that no one should be prosecuted for
what had been done by him and his associates;"
The Assembly very gladly voted this overture of
Street Hall to be satisfactory ; and thus peace
was re-established between the Assembly and
Street Hall. Nevertheless, Mr. Hall was greatly
censured by his partisans for this compromise ;
and he lived in constant expectation of their
hanging him, till he softened them by this re-
markable address in vindication of his conduct :
" We have done," said he, " every thing in our
power to support the authority of the British par-
liament over the colonies. We have lost our
property, local reputations, and all colonial offices
and respect among our countrymen, in defence of
that King and Parliament, who have not shed a
tear at our sufferings, nor failed to sacrifice their
own dignities and their best friends, to please a
party that never will be easy until another Oliver
arise to extirpate Kings, Lords, and Bishops. By
heavens !" added Street Hall, with great energy,
" I will rest my life upon this single question,
who would stand up in defence of a king who
prefers his enemies to his friends? — If you acquit
me, I shall more fully declare my principles,"
262 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
The mob, after much consideration, declared
their approbation of Mr. Hall's conduct ; upon
which lie resumed his address nearly as follows :
" Gentlemen, We have once been betrayed and
forsaken by the King and Parliament of Great-
Britain ; no dependence, then, ought henceforth
to be placed upon either. It is plain to me, that,
if we had extirpated the General Assembly, and
all the avowed enemies of the constitution of
Great-Britian, yet that very Parliament would have
been the first of all the creation to honor us with
a gallows for our reward. I therelore swear, by
Him who controls the wheels of time, that in fu-
ture, I will support the laws and dignity of this
colony, and never more put any confidence in
Princes, or the British Parliament. The Savior of
the World trusted Judas but once ; and it is my
opinion, that those who betray and forsake their
friends, ought to experience the wrath and in-
dignation of friends turned enemies. In this case,
baseness, is policy ; ingratitude, loyalty; and re-
vonge — heroic virtue !"
Colonel Street Hall spoke with great vehe-
mence, and might be censured for rashness by
people who were not in America at the time :
but his sentiments reached the hearts of half of
the King's friends there; for the repeal of the
stamp-act had fixed in their breasts an everlasting
hatred of the fickle temper of Britons.
Few people, hereafter, will advance a sixpenoe
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 263
in support of any acts of the Parliament of Great-
Britain over her colonies. Prior to the year
1766, such a public spirit prevailed in America
over private interest, as would naturally have led
the people to conform to any acts of a British
Parliament, from a deep-rooted confidence that
the requisitions of Britain would be no other
than the requisitions of wisdom and necessity.
Two thirds, 1 may say with safety, of all the peo-
ple in America, thought there were wisdom and
justice in the stamp-act, and wished to have it
continued, first, because they were sensible of
being greatly indebted to the generosity and
protection of Britain ; secondly, because they
had rather be subject to the control of Parliament
in regard to a revenue, than have it raised by the
authority of their own assemblies, who favor the
rich and oppress the poor; and, thirdly, because
the stamp-act would have prevented innumera-
ble suits at law, the costs of which in Connecti-
cut have, during the last forty years, amounted to
ten times as much as all others for war, gospel,
physic, the poor, &c. &c. &c. It is impossible
to describe the disappointment and mortification
they suffered by the repeal of that act : it exposed
them to calumny, derision and oppression ; it
disheartened all, and occasioned the defection of
many, while their adversaries triumphed in the
encouragement it had given them to prosecute
their malicious schemes against the church, king,
264 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
laws, and commerce of England. However, in
regard to the question of raising a revenue in
America, I have never met with one American
wbo would not allow (though unwillingly) the
reasonableness of it, with certain conditions and
provisos. Thus, 1. The judges and lawyers re-
quired the tax to be imposed by the General As-
sembly of each province : — 2. The merchants,
whose conscience is gain, and who commonly
constitute more than half of the Assembly, de-
clared that, before any revenue was raised, the
navigation-act should be repealed, and the East
India Company, and all the monopolies, dissolved :
— 8. The gospel ministers, whose power in New-
England is terrible to flesh and spirit, would con-
tribute to a revenue, after the King and Parlia-
ment had dropped their claim to supreme autho-
rity over America, and secured the American
vine against the domination and usurpations of
bishops. To these sources may be traced all the
objections ever made against a revenue in Ame-
rica, which spring from three orders of men, of
the least real benefit to that country, and whose
proportion to all others there is not as one to a
hundred ; though they have had the art and ad-
dress, by imposition and delusion, to involve them
in their tumultuous, contentious, and ruinous
projects and undertakings. Indeed, the clergy,
lawyers, and merchants of European countries,
have been represented as the worst enemies of
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 265
society — the great promoters of discord, war, in-
surrections, and rebellions ; but the heathen have
not yet given us an example how depraved man-
kind would be without them. However, suppo-
sing the crimination to have foundation, there is
one good reason to be offered in palliation of it.
Most governments are too apt to adopt the maxim
of rewarding prosperous opposing zealots; whilst
the exertions of oppressed friends are passed over,
if not with contempt, at least with silent neglect.
Hence, men will naturally be induced, m defi-
ance of law and gospel, to head parties, to be-
come consequential in the world.
23
appe:^dix.
The preceding sheets bring the history of Con-
necticut to its latest period of amity with Great
Britain, agreeable to the plan on which it was
begun. I have been advised, however, to lay
before my readers, in an appendix, a summary
account of the proceedings of the people of Con-
necticut immediately leading to their open com-
mencement of hostilities against the mother
country, not only because some events are not at
all, or erroneously known here, but also because
they will form a supplement necessary in several
instances to what has been already related. An-
other reason which induces me to make the pro-
posed addition, is, the opportunity it will give me
of laying before the public, by way of introduc-
tion, some matter which, I flatter myself, may
not be wholly undeserving the attention of go-
vernment, at, I trust, an approaching signal era in
British and American history. This, I am sure
of, that no chimera of vanity, but a thorough
conviction in my own breast of the foundation
they have in truth, is the sole motive of my thus
committing my thoughts upon the subject to the
press.
268 APPENDIX,
Many writers have endeavored to point out the
motive which prompted the Americans to the
w^ish of being independent of Great Britain, who
had, for a century and a half, nursed and protect-
ed them with parental tenderness ; but they have
only touched upon the reasons ostensibly held
up by the Americans, but which are merely a
veil to the true causes. These, therefore, I shall
endeavor to set before the reader, unheeding
the imputation of arrogance and presumption I
may expose myself to, and relying upon the
knowledge I have of the temper and circumstan-
ces of the people for the justification of my asser-
tions.
In the first place, England, as if afraid to ven-
ture her constitution in America, has kept it at
an awful distance, and established in too many of
her colonies republicanism, wherein the demo-
cratic absorbs the regal and aristocratic parts of
the English constitution. The people naturally
imbibed the idea that they were superior to Kings
and Lords, because they controled their repre-
sentatives, governors, and their councils. This
is the infallible consequence of popular govern-
ments.
Secondly, the English have, like the Dutch,
adopted the errors of ancient Rome, who judged
her colonies could be held in subjection only by
natives of Rome ; and therefore all emoluments
were carefully withheld from natives of colonies.
APPENDIX. 269
Thirdly, the learned and opulent families in
America have not been honored by their King,
like those borsi in Britain.
Fourthly, the Americans saw themselves de-
spised by the Britons, " though bone of their
bone, and flesh of their flesh." They felt and
complained of, without redress, the sad effects of
convicts, the curses of human society, and the
disgrace of England, taken from the dungeons,
jails, and gibbets, and poured into America as
the common shore of England, to murder, plun-
der, and commit outrage upon a people " whom,
the King did not delight to honor."
Hence tl.e present rebellion. Human nature,
is always such, that men will neither cease
struggling for honor, wealth, and power, at the
expense of gratitude, loyalty, and virtue. Indig-
nation and despair seized the gentlemen in Ame-
rica, who thought, like Haman, that their afliu-
ence and ease' were nothing worth, so long as
they lay under their sovereign's contempt. They
declared that the insult reached the whole conti-
nent, in which are to be found only two Baro-
nets of Great Britain, while all the other inhabi-
tants are held beneath the yeomanry of England,
They added, " Let Caesar tremble ! Let wealth
and private property depart to deliver our coon-
try from the injuries of our elder brethren.' How
easily might this rebellion have been averted: by
the babioleof titles ! With what reason factioas;
a3*^
270 APPENDIX.
and discontents sprung up in South America, may
be learned from the dear bought wisdom of Spain.
The Spaniards born m the vice-royalties of Peru
and New-Granada, rich and learned, highly es-
teemed by their countrymen, and of more influ-
ence in their several provinces than all the no-
bility, clergy, and merchants, in Spain ; whose
fathers, to enlarge the empire of their sovereign,
emigrated, with the natural rights of Spaniards,
to almost a burning world, where they opened
rocky mines, toiled in heats and rains to hew out
gold and silver, to erect and cover royal and no-
ble domes and pave the roads of Hesperia — those
American born Spaniards, I say, were yet, after
all, excluded from royal honors and trust, by a
false and disgraceful principle that colonists
win only be loyal when poor and neglected — a
maxim which shook ancient Rome, failed Spain,
and has thrown Britain into convulsions; — a
maxim false in nature and experience, without
justice and without policy ; — and, yet, a maxim
which men in power have adopted with intention
to secure to themselves and their posterity the
monopoly o^ noble blood — without once reflecting
that emigrants, who had been hardy enough to
storm ruw^ed mountains in the transatlantic
world, for the sake of converting poverty into
riches, would afterwards seek honors and noble
names through blaze and ruin, with more avidity
than adventurers under Pizarro ever sought the
APPENDIX, 271
wealth of Potosi and La Plata. Had the Dons
of Spain been actuated by principles of justice,
they would not have treated the Spanish natives
of South America as aliens, as a race of beings
unworthy of royal notice, trust and dignity,
which they themselves enjoyed, though they had
never wet their fingers in exploring new worlds,
or in perforating the golden Andes. But experi-
ence and necessity cut short their pride; and
compelled them to liberal dealings with their
distant brethren, on pain of losing them as they
had lost the Netherlands. No good politician
will suppose merit less deserving of reward,
merely because the possessor of it was born at
the distance of five thousand miles from Madrid;
or that royal favors bolong solely to the nobility,
who shine more from their ancestors' virtues than
from their own. Spain took the hint in time,
and shared royal honors among her younger
brethren, which produced a conciliation between
her dominions in the two worlds, that age or de»
spair can never destroy. Spain transported to
her colonies her own constitution in church and
state — rewarded merit in whatever part of her
territories it appeared — sent bishops to govern
and ordain in every church in South America,
and they, together with the native noblesse, pro-
mote harmony, the offspring of justice and policy;
while North America abounds with discord,
hatred, and rebellion, entirely from the want qf
£72 APPENDIX.
policy and justice in their party-colored charterf?,
and of the h.>nors anrl privileges of natural born
subjects of Great B'itain.
It appears to me that the British Governnnent,
in the last century, did not expect New-England
to remain under their authority ; nor did the
New- Englanders consider themselves as subjects,
but aUies, of Great Britain. It seems that Eng-
land's intent was to afford an asylum to the re-
publicans who had been a scourge to the British
constitution ; and so, to encourage that restless
party to emigrate, republican charters were grant-
ed, and privileges and promises given them far
beyond what an Englishman in England is en-
titled to. The emigrants were empowered to
make laws, in church and state, agreeable to
their own will and pleasure, without the King's
approbation — they were excused from all quit-
rents, all government taxes, and promised pro-
tection without paying homage to the British
King, and their children entitled to the same
riglits and privileges as if born in England.
How^ever hard this bargain was on the sivle of
Eugland. she has performed her part, except in.
this last respect — indeed the most material in po-
licy and in the minds of the principal gentlemen
of Nevv-Englnnd. The honor of nobility has not
been conferred on any of them ; and therefore
they have never enjoyed the full privileges and
liberties of Biitoiis ; but in. a degree have evet
APPENDIX. 273
been held in bondage under their chartered re-
publican systems, wherein gentlemen of learning
and property attain not to equal power with the
peasants. The people of New-England are
rightly styled republicans ; but a distinction
should be made between the learned and unlearn-
ed, the rich and poor. The latter form a great
majority; the minority, therefore, are obliged to
wear the livery of the majority, in order to secure
their election into office. Those very republican
gentlemen are ambitious, fond of the power of
governing, and grudge no money nor pains to
obtain an annual office. What would they not
give for a dignity depending not on the fickle
will of a multitude, but on the steady reason and
generosity of a King ? The merchants, lawyers,
and clergy, to appearance are republicans; but
I will venture to assert, that not one in a hundred
of them is really so. The truth is, they found
necessity on one hand, and British neglect on the
other, to be so intolerable, that they rather chose
to risk their lives and fortunes to brin*^ about a
revolution, than continue in the situation they
were. As to the multitude, they had no cause of
complaint: they were accuser, judge, king, and
subjects only to themselves. — The rebellion
springs not from them, but from the merchants,
lawyers, and clergy, who yet are not inimical to
the aristocratic branch of government, provided
they are admitted to share in it according to
^74 APPENDIX.
their merit. It is true, they, like Calvin, the au-
thor of their religion maintain, that no man can
merit any thing of the Great Eternal : neverthe-
less, they think they have merited the aristoratie
honors which emanate from earthly kings ; while
kings and nobles of the earth imagine themselves
to have merited more than they yet enjoy, even
heaven itself, only because they happen to be de-
scendants of heroic ancestors.
It is laid down as a maxim in English politics,
that the aristocratic dignity is the great barrier
between regal and popular power. Had Charles
the First believed and observed this doctrine, he
had saved his own life and the liberties of his
people; and had Kings since his death enter-
tained the same opinion of the nobility, they
would have multiplied and spread them in every
province as a royal blessing due to their subjects.
Would Britons consent to give up the House of
Lords? If not, why should they wish to debar
America from such a favor ? Should the English
nobility imagine their own importance lessened by
the increase of English Lords, they will not be
able to prove that an American peerage would
not be as useful in that country as an English
peerage is here. Policy and experience shew
that mankind are bound by their interest and
guided by their prospects ; yet how remiss has
England been in tempting her colonies with her
dwn noble and glorious constitution ! Is it at all
APPENDIX. 275
surprising, that, after a long sufferance of such
neglect, and the evils I have pointed out, the
hidden fire of indignation should at length break
forth in America, with a blaze that spreads ruin
and death throughout that land, and strikes ter-
ror into this ! England now condescends to view
the Americans as fellow-subjects, and even treats
with their generals, though taken from jails and
outlawed by herself: early justice and indul-
gence would have removed from the parent this
humiliating conduct, and united both worlds in
one bond of love. But the day is far spent, and
will not wrath burn forever ?
England has also been as careful to keep to
herself her religion and Bishops as her civil con-
stitution and baronies. An Indian chief once
asked me, " Whether Bishops were too good or
too bad for America?" He added, "If they are
good in England, why not in America ? and if
bad, why preserved in England?" A million of
churchmen in America have been considered not
worthy of one Bishop, while eight millions in
South Britain, are scarcely honored enough with
twenty-six: an insult on common justice, which
would have extinguished every spark of affection
in America for the English church, and created
an everlasting schism like that between Constanti-
nople and Rome, had not the majority of the
American episcopal clergy been possessed of less
ambition than love and zeal. They have suffered
276 APPENDIX.-
on both sides the Atlantic in name* and property,
for their endeavors to keep up a union between
the mother country and her children; but all
their arguments and persuasions were insufficient
to convince their brethren that England would in
future be more generous towards her colonies. —
One of the first fruits of the grand continental
meeting of dissenting divines at New-Haven was
a coalition between the republican and the minor
part of the episcopal clergy, who were soon
' ■ -^
* William Smith, in his history of New- York, p. 56, like
his brother Douglas, asserts, that the missionaries and epis-
copal clergy have been guilty of writing home to the Socie-
ty for the Propagation of the Gospel," amazing falsehoods
and misrepresentations;" and he adds," that it would be an
agreeable office to him to distinguish the innocent from the
guilty." Then why not so prove his charge? "Because,''
says he, in p. 242, "• the prudent historian of his own times
will always be a coward, and never give fire, till death pro-
tects him from the malice and stroke of his enemy :" a sen-
timent borrowed from the old adage, " Mortui non mor-
dent," and truly worthy of the writer. But what have
been Mr. Smith's character and prudence since the com-
mencement of the present rebellion? Did he not in 1774,
out of his great veneration for chrissdanity, liberty, and his
king, excite and encourage the mobs of New- York in their
opposition to the church, laws, and George III. ? — In 1775,
did not he and his associates, finding themselves insufficient
to effect their glorious purposes, request the assistance of
their christian bretliren of Connecticut against the mighty
enemies of the American vine, who accordingly repaired
thither under the conduct of Waterbury and Wooster, two
APPENDIX. 277
joined by the merchants, lawyers, and planters,
with a view of procuring titles, ordination, and
government, independent of Great Britain, who
had too long played with divide et impera.
Of such sort, I am bold to pronounce to the
world, were the real sources of the present re-
bellion in America, The invasion of this or that
colonial right, the oppression of this or that act
of parliament, were merely the pretended causes
of it, which the ill-humor of a misgoverned peo-
villians that were conceived in sin aud from the womb went
speaking lies? Did they not soon become masters of the
city, and intolerable tyrants over loyal subjects? — In 1776,
did not Mr. Smith's mob plunder the city of New-Yoik,
not excepting the churches and college ; then set it on fire,
and fly by the blaze into the howling wilderness, with the
heroes mentioned in his history, viz. Livingston, Schuyler,
Morris, and other traitors? From whence, in r777, did not
Mr. Smith return to New-York, by the advice of his com-
rades, to manifest his loyalty and love of the protestant re-
ligion, to serve the Congress and his King, and to save
harmless the rebels above mentioned, and their copartners
in murder, plunder and treason? Are these the virtues,
William Smith! that, in 1780, were so conspicuous as to
procure thy being appointed Chief Justice of a sacked and
ruined people ?~The imprudent historian of his own times
is no coward, nor does he fear thy malice, which, above all
things, except thy hypocrisy and treachery, passes all hu^
man understanding. " Quelques uns dirent, c'est par Beei-
zebul qu'il chasse les demons." Les autres dirent, que sa
mere tenoit de I'air de Marie Magdelaine, apres que la sage
femme eut chassee trois demons.
24
278 APPENDIX.
pie prompted them eagerly to hold up; causes,
which would never have found existence, whose
existence had never been necessary, if a better
system of American policy had been adopted,
hut being produced, the shadow of complaint
was exhibited instead of the substance — pre-
tence, instead of reality — every republican pulpit
resounded with invectives against the King,
Lords, and Commons, who claimed a power to
tax and govern the people of America ; a power
which their charters and ancestors knew nothing
of. " Britons," said they, " call our property
theirs; they consider us as slaves, as hewers of
wood, and drawers of water, to the descendants
of those tyrants in church and state, who in the
last century expelled and persecuted our fathers
into the wilds of America. We have charters
sacred as Magna Charta and the Bill of Rights."
They declared that the liberties of America ought
to be defended with the blood of millions ; that
the Attorney General ought to impeach the Par-
liament of Great Britain, and all its abettors, of
hi^h treason for daring to tax the freemen of
America; that each colony was a palatinate, and
the people the palatine ; that the people of Con-
necticut had as much authority to issue a writ of
Quo Warranto against Magna Charta, as the
King had to order such a writ against the charter
ofConnecticut.
By ravings of this kind did the Sober Dissen-
APPENDIX. 279
ters manifest their discontents, when the various
measures for raising a revenue in America were
adopted by the British ministry. That of send-
ing tea to America in 1773, subject to a duty of
Sd. in the pound, payable there, particularly ex-
cited their clamor, as designed, they said, to es-
tablish a precedent of British taxation in that
country ; and, notwithstanding all the remon-
strances of the loyalists, who strenuously exerted
themselves in removing vulgar prejudices, and
procuring a reconciliation with circumstances
rendered unavoidable by the necessity of the
times, they effectually enflamed the minds of the
populace, by reading, in the meetings on Sun-
days, letters said to have been sent by Dr. Frank-
lin, J. Temple, and a certain female writer in
England, representing the danger of paying any
tax imposed by Parliament, and the evils })rotes^
tantism was threatened with by a Roman Catho-
lic King, by Jacobites, tories, and the episcopal
clergy in both countries, all enemies to liberty
and the American vine ; and adding, that, if the
Americans paid the tax on tea, there were three
hundred other taxes ready to be imposed upon
them, one of which was " 501 for every son born
in w^edlock, to maintain the natural children of
the Lords and Bishops in England."
The moderate counsel of the loyalists had for-
merly been attended with some effect; but it was
forced to give place to the ribaldry just mention*
280 APPENDIX.
ed ; and an opposition much more resolute was
determined upon against the tea-act/ than had
been made to the stamp-act. A provincial con-
gress, committees of correspondence, committees
of safety in every town, &,c. &c. now started up,
for the purpose of setting the coleny in an up-
roar against the parliviment of Great Britain. To
this end contributed not a little the falsehoods
and artifices of Mr. Hancock and other Boston
merchants, who had in their storehouses near
40,000 half-boxes of teas smuggled from the
Dutch, which would never have been sold, had
the Company's teas been once admitted into
America, as the latter v/ere not only the better in
quality, but, the duty being reduced from Is. to
3c?. would be also the much cheaper commodity.
Mr. Hancock and his compatriots, therefore,
were by no means wanting in endeavors to pro-
cure the first teas which arrived in New-England,
the reception they met v/ith in the harhor of Bos-
ton. That famous exploit afforded them an op-
portunity of clearing their warehouses, which
they prudently resolved to do as soon as possible,
lest the reception of the Company's tea in other
provinces, or other possible circumstances, should
afterwards put it out of iheir power. An idea
began to prevail, that a non importation of tea
was an adviseable measure upon the present oc-
casion; accordingly, they advertised, that, after
disposing of their present stock, they would not
APPENDIX. 281
import, or have any further dealings in tea, for
two years. This at once tended to fill their pock-
ets and exalt their characters as patriots. Tlie
people, ignorant of the largeness of such stock,
and apprehensive of being deprived of an article
they were passionately fond of, eagerly furnished
themselves with quantities sufficient for that
time, mostly of about thirty, forty, or fifty pounds,
notwithstanding the price was advanced Is. per
pound, upon the pretence of raising money to
pay for the tea destroyed in order to secure the
religion and liberty of America, which under tbaj
idea it was generally acknowledged ought to be
done. When the tea was mostly disposed of,
the people found that the extra price they had
given for it was designed for the venders, instead
of the East India Company, whose tea at the bot-
tom of the harbor was not to be paid for. They
murmured ; whereupon the smugglers voted, that
they would not drink any more tea, but burn on
the common what they had left. Some tea was
so disposed of, and the public-spirited transac-
tion blazoned in the newspapers. But this wa&
not all : the smugglers sent letters to the leaders,
of mobs in the country, enjoining them to wait
upon the purchasers of their tea, and compel
them to burn it as a proof of their patriotism.
Those honorable instructions were obeyed, to the
real grievance of the holders of the tea. *' Let
Mr. Hancock," said they, " and the other raer-
24*^
282 APPENDIX.
chant smugglers, return us our money, and then
you shall be welcome to burn the tea according
to their orders." But it signified nothing to dis-
pute the equity of the requisition : the cry was,
"Join or die!'' nor would the sons of liberty be
satisfied with any thing less, than that each owner
of tea should with his own hands bring forth the
same, and burn it ; and then sign a declaration
that he had acted in this affair voluntarily, and
without any compulsion whatever ; and, more-
over, pay the printer for inserting it in the news-
paper.
An act of Parliament for shutting up the port
of Boston was the immediate consequence of the
destruction of the East India Company's tea. It
took place in June, 1774, and was considered by
the Americans as designed to reduce the Bosto-
nians " to the most servile and mean compliance
ever attempted to be imposed on a free people ;
and allowed to be infinitely more alarming and
dangerous to their common liberties, than even
that hydra, the stamp-act." Due care had been
taken to ensure its enforcement, by sending Ge-
neral Gage as Governor to Boston, v«/here he ar-
rived the preceding month, with a number of
troops. Determined, however, as the Parliament
seemed on compulsion, the colonists were equal-
ly bent on resistance, and resolved on a conti-
nental congress to direct their operations. In
the mean time, contributions for relieving the
APPENDIX. 283
distressed people in Boston were voted by the
colonies ; and Connecticut, through the officious-
ness of its Governor, had the honor of setting an
example by raising the first. Every tovi^n which
did not subscribe to the support of the Bostonians
was stigmatised as a tory town. The first that
refused was loyal Hebron. There it was voted,
" That, when the people of Boston should have
paid for the teas that were destroyed, and behave
like honest men, the town would give them sup-
port, if their port was not opened by the King;"
a vote, which, for the time, put a stop to further
collections in the province. The patriots im-
puted it to the influence of the Rev. Mr. Peters,
(of whom I have already spoken) and his family.
Many were the attempts tried to ruin his charac-
ter, but unsuccessfully ; — he was too well beloved
and befriended in the town.
Falsehood and sedition had now for some time
been every day increasing in the province ; and
men, who were secret propagators of traitorous
opinions, pretended in public to look up to the
Consociation, the great focus of divine illumina-
tion, for direction. After much fasting and
praying, that holy leaven discovered an admira-
ble method of advancing the blessed work of pro-
testant liberty. The doors of prisons were open-
ed, and prisoners became leaders of mobs com-
posed of negroes, vagabonds, and thieves, who
had much to gain and nothing to lose. The be-
284 APPENDIX.
som of destruction first cleared away the credi-
tors of the renegadoes ; and then the Sandemu-
nians, presbyterians, and episcopalians. The
unfortunate complained to the Governor and ma-
gistrates of the outrages of those banditti, begging
the protection of the laws. The following was
the best answer returned by the magistrates : —
"The proceedings of which you complain, are
like the acts of Parliament : but be this as it may,
we are only servants of the people, in whom all
power centers, and who have assumed their natu-
ral right to judge and act for themselves." The
loyalists armed to defend their property against
those public thieves, but the liberty boys were
instantly honored with the presence of ministers,
deacons, and justices, who caused the grand jury
to indict, as tories and rioters, those who pre-
sumed to defend their houses, and the courts fined
and imprisoned them.
Thus horridly, by night and day, were the mobs
driven on by the hopes of plunder, and the plea-
sures of domineering over their superiors. Ha-
ving sent terror and lamentation through their
own colony, the incarnate fiends paid a visit to
the episcopalians of Great Barrington, in the
western confines of Massachusett-Bay, whose
numbers exceeded that of the Sober Dissenters.
Their wrath chiefly fell upon the Rev. Mr. Bost-
wick, and David Ingersoll, Esq. The former was
lashed with his back to a tree, and almost killed ;
APPENDIX. 285
but, on account of the fits of his wife and mother,
and the screamings of the women and children,
the mob released him upon his signing their
league and covenant. As to Mr. Ingersoll, after
demolishing his house and stealing his goods,
they brought him almost naked into Connecticut
upon a horse's bare ridge, in spite of the dis-
tresses of his mother and sister, which were
enough to melt the heart of a savage, though
producing in the Sober Dissenters nothing but
peals of laughter that rent the skies. Treatment
so extremely barbarous did Mr. Ingersoll receive
at their hands, that the sheriff of Litchfield coun-
ty could not withhold his interposition, by which
means he was set at liberty after signing the
league and covenant. The grand jury indicted
some of the leaders in this riot ; but the court
dismissed them upon receiving information from
Boston, that Ingersoll had seceded from the house
of representatives, and declared for the King of
England.
What caused this irruption of the mob into
Great Barrinaiton follows ; — The laws of Massa-
chusetts-bay give each town a power to vote a
tax for the support of the ministry, schools, poor,
&c. The money, when collected, is deposited
with the town treasurer, who is obliged to pay it
according to the determination of the majority of
the voters. The Sober Dissenters, for many
years, had been the majority in Barringlon, and
286 APPENDIX.
had annually voted about two hundred pounds
sterling for the ministry, above half of vi'hich was
taken from the churchmen and Lutherans, whose
ministers could have no part of it, because, se-
parately, the greatest number of voters were So-
ber Dissenters, who gave the whole to their mi-
nister. This was deemed liberty and gospel in
New-England; but mark the sequel. The Lu-
therans, and some other sects, having joined the
church party, the church gained the majority.
Next year, the town voted the money as usual for
the ministry, &.c. but the majority voted that the
treasurer should pay the share appointed for the
ministry to the church clergyman, which was ac-
cordingly done : whereupon the Sober Dissenters
cried out. Tyranny and persecution ! and applied
to Governor Hutchinson, then the idol and pro-
tector of the independents, for relief. His Ex-
cellency, ever willing to leave "Paul bound,"
found a method of reversing the vote of the ma-
jority of the freemen ofBarrington in favor of the
churchmen, calling it "a vote obtained by wrong
and fraud." The Governor, by law or without
law, appointed Major Hawley, of Northampton,
to be the moderator of the town meeting in Bar-
rington. The Major accordingly attended ; but,
after exerting himself three days in behalf of his
oppressed brethren, was obliged to declare that
the episcopalians had a great majority of legal
voters : he then went home, leaving matters as
APPENDIX. 287
he found them. The Sober Dissenters were al-
ways so poor in Harrington, that they could not
have supported their minister without taxing their
neighbors ; and when they lost that power, their
minister departed from them, " because," as he
said, " the Lord had called him to Rhode Island."
To overthrow the majority of the church, and to
establish the American vine upon its old founda-
tion, was the main intention of the Sober Dissen-
ters of Connecticut in visiting Great Barrington
at this time.
The warlike preparations throughout the colo-
nies, and the intelligence obtained from certain
credible refugees, of a secret design formed in
Connecticut and Massachusetts-bay to attack the
royal army, induced General Gage to make some
fortifications upon Boston Neck, for their securi-
ty. These of course gave offence ; but much
more the excursion of a body of the troops on
the 19th of April, 1775, to destroy a magazine of
stores at Concord, and the skirmishes which en-
sued. In a letter of the 28th of April, from Mr.
Trumbull, the Governor of Connecticut, to Gene-
ral Gage, after speaking of the " very just and
general alarm" given the "good people" of that
province by his arrival at Boston with troops, and
subsequent fortifications, he tells the General
that ''the late hostile and secret inroads of some
of the troops under his command into the heart
of the country, and the violences they had com-
588 APPENDIX.
mitted, had driven them almost into a state of
desperation." Certain it is, that the populace
were then so maddened, by false representations
and aggravations of events unfortunate and la-
mentable enough in themselves, as to be quite
ripe for the open rebellion the Governor and As-
sembly were on the point of commencing, though
they had the effrontery to remonstrate against
the defensive proceedings of the General, in or-
der to conceal their treachery. Further on, in
the same letter, Mr. Trumbull writes thus : "The
people of this colony, you may rely upon it, ab-
hor the idea of taking arms against the troops of
their sovereign, and dread nothing so much as
the horrors of civil war ; but at the same time,
we beg leave to assure your Excellency, that, as
they apprehend themselves justified by the prin-
ciples of self-defence, so they are most firmly re-
solved to defend their rights and privileges to the
last extremity ; nor will they be restrained from
giving aid to their brethren, if any unjustifiable
attack is made upon them. Is there no way to
prevent this unhappy dispute from coming to ex-
tremities ? Is there no alternative but absolute
submission, or the desolations of war? By that
humanity which constitutes so amiable a part of
your character: for the honor of our sovereign,
and by the glory of the British empire, we entreat
you to prevent it if it be possible. Surely, it is
to be hoped, that the temperate wisdom of the
APPENDIX. 28S>
Empire might, even yet, find expedients to restore
peace, that so all parts of the empire may enjoy
their particular rights, honors, and immunities.
Certainly, this is an event most devoutly to be
wished for; and will it not be consistent with
your duty to suspend the operations of war on
your part, and enable us on ours to quiet the
mmds of the people, at least, till the result of
some further deliberations may be known?" &c,
&c.
From this letter, written as it was by the Gov-
ernor of a province, at the desire of its General
Assembly, the people of England may learn to
think of American as they do of French sincerity.
It is almost past credit, that, amidst the earnest
protestations it contains of a peaceable disposi-
tion in Mr. Trumbull and the rest of his coadju-
tors in the government of Counecticut, they were
meditating, and actually taking measures for the
capture of certain of the King's forts, and the
destruction of General Gage and his whole army,
instead of quieting the mijids of the people ! Yet
such was the fact. They had commissioned Motte
and Phelps to draft men from the militia, if volun-
teers should not readily appear, for a secret ex-
pedition which proved to be again^^t Ticonderoga
and Crown-Point; and the treasurer of the colo-
ny, by order of the Governor and Council, had
paid j500Z. to bear their expences. Nay. even
before the date of the above amicable epistle,
25
290 APPENDIX.
Motteand Phelps had left Hertford on that treason-
able undertaking, in which they were joined on
the way by Colonels Allen and Easton. Nor
was this the only insidious enterprize they had to
cover. The " good people" throughout the pro-
vince, to the number of near 20,000, were secret-
ly arming themselves, and filing off. to avoid sus-
picion, in small part-es often or a dozen, to meet
"their brethren,'' the Massachusetts ; not, how-
ever, with the view of "giving aid, should any
unjustifiable attack be made upon thetn," but to
SURPRIZE Bobton by storm. In addition to the
Governor's letter, the mock-peace-makers the
General Assembly had deputed Dr. Samuel John-
son, son of tiie Rev. Dr. Johnson, spoken of in
this work, ^nd Oliver Wolcott, Esq. both of the
Council, which had ordered the 1,500Z. for the
adventurers to Ticonderoga, to wait upon Gene-
ral Gage, the more effectually to amuse and de-
ceive him into confidence and inaction. But hap-
pily, at a critical time, just before the intended
storm and slaughter at Boston, the news of the
successofthe secret expedition reached that town,
which fully discovered the true character and busi-
ness of the two Connecticut ambassadors, and ren-
dered it necessary for them, sans ceremcnie, to re-
tire from Boston, and for General Gage immediate-
ly to render the fortifications at the Neck im-
pregnable.
Thus did Connecticut, from its hot bed of fa-
APPENDIX. 291
naticism and sedition, produce the first indubi-
table overt act of high treason in the present re-
bellion, by actually levying war, and taking, viet
armis, the King's forts and stores ; and, most
probably, its obstinacy will render this the last of
all the revolted states to acknowledge the su-
premacy of Parliament.
The Sober Dissenters, chagrined at being dis-
appointed in their hostile project against Boston,
readily embraced the opportunities which offered
of wreaking their vengeance upon New-York.
At the instance of the rebel party there, who
found themselves too weak to eftect their purpose
of subverting the constitution of the province, a
large body immediately posted to their assistance,
delivered " their brethren" from the slavery of r^-
gal government, and invested them with the li-
berty of doing that which was fit in their own
eves, under the democratic administration of the
immaculate Livingstons, Morris, Schuyler, &c.
&c. As seemed necessary to the furtherance of
their pacific views, frequent irruptions were made
afterwards, in which many loyalists were disarm-
ed and plundered, and some of them taken pri-
soners. Among these last were the Rev. Dr.
Seabury, and the Mayor of New-York. Gov.
Tryon happily escaped their fury ; as also did,
very narrowly, the Rev. Miles Cooper, LL. D.
who was leaving his house through a back win-
dow, when a party of ruffians burst into his cham-
2§^ APPENDIX.
ber, and thrust their bayonets into the bed he had
just quitted. Mr. Rivington, whose case has
been published, was one of the sufferers by loss
of property. Those " good people," who "dread-
ed nothing so much as the horrors of civil war,''
with the reverse of reluctance plundered his
house of all his printing materials and furniture ;
and, having scrambled for the latter, carried the
types to New-Haven, where they have since been
employed in the service of Congress. The King's
statue, however, maintained its ground till after
Mr. Washington with the continental army had
taken possession of the city ; when it was indicted
of high treason against the dominions of America,
found guilty, and received a quaint sentence of
this kind, viz. That it should undergo the act of
decollation ; and, inasmuch as it had no bowels,
its legs should be broken ; that the lead of it
should be run into bullets, for the destruction of
the English bloody-backs, and the refuse be cast
into the ^ea. The sentence was immediately-
carried into execution, amidst such huzzas and
vociferations of " Praise ye the Lord!" that it
brought to mind the songs of the annual feast of
the calves-head club on the 30th of January, in
derision of the royal martyr. This insult upon
majesty, Mr. Washington thought proper thus to
notice in his general orders of the next day. He
was sorry, he said, that his soldiers should in a
riotous manner pull down the statue of the King
APPENDIX. 29S
of Great Britain ; yet he could not but commend
their zeal for defacing every monument of British
tyranny.
It has been a matter of surprise to some poli-
ticians, that the people of Connecticut, who had
no real grievance to complain of, should take so
early and decided a part against the sovereignty
of Britain, and exert themselves so exemplary in
favor of the Bostonian tea-merchants, especially
when, if the East India Company had been per-
mitted to import that conjmodity, they would have
been supplied with it at half.the price it usually
cost them : but the wonder will instantly vanish,
if it be considered, that this province was the
seat of the annual convention of delegates from all
the associations of protestant dissenters through-
out America, whicli was first holden in I7b4, as I
have related. Here their meetings were con-
tinued year after year, without the least appre-
hension of disturbance from a King's Governor;
and here the arcana of the American vine, to-
gether with the solemn league and covenant,
were deposited. It is not to be supposed but
that the political principles of this synod would
gradually become the principles of the Sol:>er
Dissenters in general; .nnd the proceedings of the
latter, wh< n action was required, afford ;i clear
proof i)oth of the na ure oftiiose priiicplt-s, and
the enthusiasm with whi'-h th-'y had heon ado-pted^
Perhaps,, no people in tfse world liave beea so
2d4 APPENDIX.
much deceived as the commonalty of the English
colonies in America. They were conscious of
their happiness under the protection of Great
Britain, and wished for no change in government.
Ten years ago the great majority would sooner
have run their heads against the burning moun-
tains, than have lifted up a finger with a view to
a political separation from Great Britain ; and
yet they have been prevailed upon, by the inflam-
matory effusions of the clergy, merchants, and
lawyers, to commit a thousand mad excesses, run
into open rebellion, and imbue their hands in
civil blood, under the idea of opposing injury, op-
pression, and slavery, though in reality to promote
what has long been the grand aim of their insti-
gators— Independence.
Having been a witness of the effects of the con-
ventions of Dissenters in New-England, particu-
larly that I have just been speaking of as taking
place at New-Haven in 1764, which was annually
continued, without the least animadversion from
any person in authority in Great Britain, notwith-
standing the intent of it was wholly prejudicial
to her interests ; I was the more mortified with
the implied censure of a great man in very high
oflice upon a meeting of the episcopal clergy, in
his answer to an address they took the liberty to
present to him, in the vain hope of its being pro-
ductive of some benefit to the church in America,
but, alas ! whose only fruit was a laconic letter
APPENDIX. 293^
to the following purport : — " I have been honored
with your address, and thank you for it ; but an*
not acquainted by what authority you hold your,
convention." The hauteur in this answer to such
an assembly on such an occasion, however con-
gruous with the pride and formality of office, was
utterly repugnant to the dictates of policy. Bri-
tain lost by it half her friends in New-England ;
and I will presume to say, that Britain will lose
all her friends in that country, whenever it shall
be discovered that the sentiments of the English
Parliament coincide, in that respect, with the
sentiments of the writer.
While Mr. Washington remained in possession
of New- York, Connecticut served as a prison
for those persons who had the misfortune to fall
under his suspicion as disaffected to the cause of
freedom. He was himself, however, at length
obliged to evacuate it, by General Howe, to the
great relief of such royalists as remained.
In April 1777, some magazines having been forn^-
ed by the Americans at Danbury and Ridgefield,
Major-General Tryon was sent with 1800 men to
carry off or destroy them. They reached the
places of their destination with little opposition ;
but the whole force of the country being collect-
ed to obstruct his return, the General was obliged
to set the stores on fire, by which means those
towns were unavoidably burnt. David Wooster,
the rebel General, Benedict Arnold's old acquaint-
296 APPENDIX.
ance and mobbirtg confederate, received a fatal
ball through his bladder, as he was harrassing the
rear of the royal troops ; of which, after being
carried forty miles to New-Haven, he died, and was
there buried by the side of the grave of David
Dixwell, one of the Judges of Charle^i the Martyr.
In the summer of 1779, tlie suffeniigs of the
loyalists in Connecticut becoming too intolerable
for longer endurance, General Sir Henry Clinton
determined to attempt their lelief. Accordmgly,.
he detached a large party under the command of
General Tryon, which landed at New-Haven,
after being opposed by a number of rebels under
the command of the Rev, Naphthali Dagget, the
president of Yale College, who, notwithstanding
the moderation I have said marked his general
character, was enthusiastic enough to hazard his
life on this occasion. He lost it, and had the
honor of being buried on Sodom Hill, near the
grave of Dt aeon Potter, without a coffin. Hav-
ing accomplished their purpose here, the troops
sailed to Fairfield, which town they were necessi-
tated, by the opposition of the rebels, to set fire
to, before the loyalists coul;i be released from
prison. General Tryon then repaired to Nor-
walk, where having by proclamation enjoined the
inhabitants to keep within their houses, h.e or-
dered centinels t<» be stationed at every door, to
prevent disorders ; a tenderness, however, they
msuhed, by firing upoii the. very men vvha were
APPKNDIX. 297
thus appointed to guard them. Tlse consequence
was, destruction to themselves and the whole
town, which was laid in ashes.
I have now mentioned the principal proceed-
ings by which tlie people of Connecticut have dis-
tinguished themselves in bringing on and sup-
porting the rebellion of America ; and that, I
apprehend, in a manner sufficiently particular to
shew their violence, and to answer my purpose of
giving the reader an idea of the present distracted,
maimed state of the province, which many most
respectable characters have been obliged to
abandon, at the total loss of their property, to
save their lives. It is very observable, that a pe-
culiar, characteristic resolution appears to possess
the people of Connecticut. As, on one hand,
rebellion has erected her crest in that province
with more insolence and vigor than in the rest;
so, on the other, loyalty has there exhibited proofs
of zeal, attachment, perseverance, and fortitude,
far beyond example elsewhere to be found in
America. In particular, the episcopal clergy
have acquired immortal honor by their steady ad-
herence to their oaths, and firmness under the
"assaults of their enemies;" not a man amongst
them all, in this fiery trial, having dishonored
either the King or church of England by apostar
cy. The sufferings of some of them I cannot
wholly pass, over in silence.
Among the greatest enemies to the cause of
298 APPENDIX.
the Sober Dissenters, and among the greatest
friends to that of the church of England, the Rev.
Mr. Peters stood conspicuous. I have already
represented him as so well shielded by the friend-
ship and esteem of the inhabitants of Hebron,
where he resided, as to be proof against the
common weapons of fanaticism and malice. The
Governor and Council, therefore, entered the
lists, and, anxious at all events to get rid of so
formidable a foe, accused him of being a spy of
Lord North's and the Bishops. This allegation
was published by the Governor's order, in every
republican pulpit in the colony, on Sunday, Au-
gust 14th, 1774, which induced a mob of Patriots
from Windham county to arm and surround his
house the same night, in the most tumultuous
manner, ordering the gates and doors to be open-
ed. Mr. Peters, from his window, asked if they
had a warrant from a magistrate to enter his
house. They replied, "we have Joice's warrant
which Charles the traitor submitted to, and is
sufficient for you." Peters told them he had but
one life to lose, and he would lose it in defence
of his house and property. Finally after some
further altercation, it was agreed that a commit-
tee frcm the mob should search the house, and
read all papers belonging to Mr. Peters. A com-
mittee was accordingly nominated, who, after in-
specting his papers as much as they pleased, re-
APPENDIX. 2§9
ported, " that they were satisfied Mr. Peters was
not guilty of any crime laid to his charge."
On Sunday the 4th of September, the country
was alarmed by a letter from Colonel Putnam, de-
claring " that Admiral Graves had burnt Bosion,
and that General Gage was murdering old and
young." The Governor of Connecticut took the
liberty to add to Mr. Putnam's letter, " except
churchmen and the addressers of Governor
Hutchinson." The same day 40,000 men began
their march from Connecticut to Boston, and re-
turned the next, having heard that there was no
truth in Putnam's reports. Dr. Bellamy thanked
God for this false alarm, as he had thereby pointed
out " the inhabitants of Meroz, who went not to
the help of the Lord against the mighty." No
churchmen, presbyterians, or Sandemanians,
were among the 40,000 insurgents ; and that was
judged to be sufficient proof of their disaffection
to the liberties of America. The Governor seized
this opportunity to set the mobs again, with re-
doubled fury, upon the Rev. Mr. Peters, and the
loyalists, whom they then cr lied Peterites; and
the intoxicated ruffians spared neither their hou-
ses, goods, nor persons. Some had their bowels
CDvvded out of their bodies ; others were covered
with filth, and marked w th the siiTn of the cross
by a mop filled with excrements, in token of their
loyalty to a kinf^ who designed to cm -ify all the
good people of America. Even women were
hung by the heels, tarred, and feathered. Mr.
Peters, with his gown and clothes torn oft w.s
treated in the most insulting manner : h.s moUier
,l.„-r,hter, two brothers, and servants, were
;::;£ one of his brothers so badly tl^ he
died soon after. Mr, Peters was then obhg^ to
abscond and fly to the royal army .n Boston
from whence he went to England, by wh.ch
l.ans he has hitherto preserved his hfe, though
not his property, from the rapacous and bloody
hands of his countrymen. The Rev Messrs.
Mansfield and Viets were cast mto ja,l, and al-
terwards tried for high treason against Amer.ca.
Their real offence was charitably giv.ng victuals
and blankets to loyalists flying from the rage o
drunken mobs. They were not indeed conv.cted
in so high a degree as the court -tended b^t
were fined and imprisoned, to the rum of hem
selves and families. The ^^v. Messrs. Graves
Scovil, Dibblee, Nichols, Leam.ng, Beach, and
divers others, were cruelly dragged through m.re
„d dirt. In short, all the clergy of the church
;ie infamously insulted, abused, and obhged to
seek refuge in the mountains, t.ll the popular
frenzy was somewhat abated. ... „„.
Tn July, nT6, the congress having declared the
independency of America and ordered the ^m-
„„„wealth to be prayed for msteau of the Kmg
and royal family, all the loyal episcopal churches
north of the Delaware were shut up, except those
APPENDIX. 301
immediately under the protection of the British
army, and one at Newtown, in Connecticut, of
which last the Rev. Mr. John Beach was the rec-
tor, whose grey hairs, adorned with loyal and
christian virtues, overcame even the madness of
the Sober Dissenters. This faithful disciple dis-
regarded the congressional mandate, and praying
for the King as usual, they pulled him out of his
desk, put a rope about his neck, and drew him
across Osootonoc river, at the tail of a boat, to
cool his loyal zeal, as they called it ; after which
the old Confessor was permitted to depart though
not without a prohibition to pray longer for the
King. But his loyal zeal was insuperable. He
went to church, and prayed again for the King ;
upon which the Sober Dissenters again seized
hun, and resolved upon cutting out his tongue ;
when the heroic veteran said, " If my blood
must be shed, let it not be done in the house of
God." The pious mob then dragged him out of
the cTiurch, laid his neck on a bh;ck, and swore
they w^ould cut off his head ; and indolently cry-
ing out, " Now, you old Devil ! say your las^
prayer,'' — he prayed thus : " God bless King
George, and forgive all his and inv enemies!'*
At this unexpected and exaltt d display of chris-
tian patience and charity, the m(-;,« so far relented
as to discharge and never mol.?st him afterwards
for adhering to the liturgy of the church of Eng-
26
302 AiPPENDlX.
land and his ordination oath ; but they relaxed
not tlieir severities towards the other clergymen,
because, they said, younger consciences are more
inflexible.
I cannot conclude this work without remark-
ing, what a contrast to tlie episcopal clergy of
Connecticut, and especially to this illustrious ex-
ample of the venerable Beach, is aflTorded by too
many of those ;ri the provinces south of the Dela-
ware. Here, whilst tfiey : uffered every thing but
death for tenaciously adhering to their ordina-
tion oaths; there, sotne of ihem, of more en-
laro'ed consciences, wire not ashamed to commit
perjury in prayer, and it b/llion in preaching, —
though, be it renif-mbered, tiieir expressions
were decent, whcii c<in)pared with those of the
fanatics in New -England. The following prayer
used by them before congress, after the declara-
tion of independence, seems to me too likely to
gratify the curiosity of my readers to be omitted.
It brought the clergymen into disgrace merely by
its moderation.
" O LoKi>, our Heavenly father. King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords, who dost from thy throne be-
hold all the dwellers upon earth, and reignest,
with power supreme and uncontrolled, over all
kingdoms, empires, and governments; look down
in mercy, we beseech thee, upon these our Ame-
rican stales, who have fled to thee from the rod of
APPENDIX. 303
the oppressor, and thrown themselves upon thy
gracious protection, desiring henceforth to be de-
pendent only upon tliee. To thee have they ap-
pealed for the righteousness of their cause ; to
thee do they now look up for that countenance
and support, which thou alone canst give. Take
them, therefore, heavenly Father, under thy nur-
turing care ; give them wisdom in council, valor
in the field. Defeat the malicious designs of ouf
cruel adversaries ; convince them of the unright-
eousness of their cause ; and, if they still persist
in their sanguinary purposes, O let the voice of
thy unerring justice, sounding in their hearts,
constrain them to drop the weapons of war from
their enervated hands in the day of battle. Be
thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the
councils of this honorable assembly. Enable
them to settle things upon the best and surest
foundation; that the scenes of blood may be
speedily closed ; that order, harmony, and peace,
may effectually be restored, and truth and jus-
tice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish
amongst thy people. Preserve the health of their
bodies, and the vigor of their minds ; shower down
upon them, and the millions they represent, such
temporal blessings as thou seest expedient for
them in this wurld, and crown them with ever-
lasting glory in the world to come. All this we
S64 APPENDIX.
ask, in the name and through the merits of Jesus
Christ, thy Son, our Savior. Amen."
I will not deny that rebels are to be found
among the episcopal clergy north of the Dela-
ware ; but they amount to five only, and not one
©f them belongs to the colo»y of Connecticut,
INDEX,
A.
Allen, Ethan, origin of his fame 98. Joins in the se«
ciet expedition against Ticonderoga 289
Amusements 235
Argal, Sir Samuel, compels the Dutch at Manhattan to
submit 26
Arran, Earl of, claims part of Connecticut 37
Ashford 130
Assembly, General, chosen by the people 79 ; times of
meeting 79. Their laws not to be repealed but by their
own authority 81. Resolve to settle their lands on
Susquehanna river 87. Hold a special meeting to
consider of the stamp-act 249 ; vote that the Governor
do not take the oath required by it ; and treat the po-
pulace on its repeal 237. Conduct of, in regard to
Col. Street Hall and the revolters 260, 261, 262
B.
Bays, the two principal 114
Beacli, the Rev. Mr. joins the Church of England 171 ;
ignominiously and most cruelly treated 301 ; his hero-
ism 302
Bear, a she one and cubs killed by General Putnam
131, 132
Bellamy, the Rev. Dr. some account of 145. Thankfc
God for Gen. Putnam's false alarm 299
Birds 193
Bishop of London's authority derided by an American
judge 143
Bishops, their neglectful conduct in regard to America
177. Animadversions upon, &c. 178 — 180. Noti-
ces concerning 73, 175, 177, 217, 243^ 271, 275, 27G
Blaxton,the Ref. Mr. particulars relating to, 60 note
Blue Laws, specimen of G8
Bolton 138
Boston, peninsula of, obtained and occupied by the Rcv»
Mr. Blaxton 60 note. Town of; founded 30, Its
26*
306 INDEX.
port shut up 282. Attack meditated against it 29Q.
Neck fortified by Gen. Gage 287, 290
Bostvvick, the Rev. Mr. attacked by the mob 284
Boundaries, disputes concerning 90 — 94 ; of Connecti-
cut, as at present allowed 108
Bramford 163
Bribery, disallowed 236
Briton, Mr. humorous story concerning him and a dea-
con's daughter 226
Brown, the Rev. Mr. declares for the Church of Eng-
land 170
Brownists set sail for America, and found Plymouth 3Q.
Bulkley, the Rev. John, some account of 139, 140
, the Rev. Peter, character of 139, 140
Bull-fly described 195
Bundling, singular custom of, justified 238 — 244
Byles, Dr. Mather, disingenuous treatment of 232.
C.
Canaan lU'
Cansez, American Indians, enjoy liberty in perfection 103
Canterbury 133
Caterpillars ravage the borders of Connecticut river 128
Chandler, the Rev. Thomas Bradbury, where born 130
Charter petitioned for privately 75, obtained 76, claim
founded upon, and prevarications concerning it 45, 46,
powers conferred by 79, strengthens notions of inde-
pendence 82, formally surrendered by the colony to
Sir Edmimd Andros 84, regained by a mob, hid in a
tree, and re-assumed 85, violated by Geo. II. 94
Chatham 137
Church of England, the first erected in Connecticut 166,
professors of the, amount of in 1770, 172, reason of
tlieir great increase 1 70, their zeal 174, measures ad-
verse to 175
Clergy, Episcopal, in Connecticut, morality of 176, one-
pnnished for not observing the Sabbath agreeable to
notions of Sober Dissenters 225^ accused of writing
falsehoods 276, acquire immortal honor, hy adhering
to their ordination oaths 297, impolitic answer to an
address presented by them tp>a. great man is high- of-
£?(DK]r. 307
lice 294, — immoral, anti-episcopal, and rebelliouf?
conduct of some of them in the southern provinceslTS,
177, 178, 276, 302.
Colchester 139
Cdlden, -— — , Lieut. Governor of New-York, grants
lands in Verdmont 98
Coldness of the winter in Connecticut accounted for 181
Comic Liturgy, acted in Connecticut on occasion of the
stamp-act 248
Company for propagating the gospel in New England,
charter obtained for the, and abuse of it 61, 62,
note
Commerce of Connecticut 199
Connecticote, his kingdom 133, his conduct towards the
settlers 60, his death 63
Connecticut, its latitude and longitude 236, whence
named 29, three parties of English adventurers arrive
in 31, right to the soil of, considered 40 — 46, civil and
religious establishments and proceedings of the first
English settlers 47 — 66, forms a confederacy with New
Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay 74, obtains a char-
ter of incorporation 76, divided into counties, town-
ships, (fcc. 79, 80, sketch of its religious-political free
system since the charter 88 — 90, half the territory of^
granted to the Duke of York 77, its consequent loss of
territory 78, 92, 93, dimensions of, as at present al-
lowed 108, description of, at large 109 — 245, treat-
ment English travellers meet with there from land-
lords 103, proceedings of in regard to the stamp act
244 — 265, to the tea act 279 — 282, to that for shut-
ting the port of Boston 282^ 283, 6lc. commits the
first overt act of high treason 290, abandoned by ma-
ny of its most respectable inhabitants 296
Connecticut river, description of, 109, astonishing nar-.
row in it 111
Conlingences, extraordinaryallowancefor 208, of what,
sort some 233
Convention,, grand continental, of dissenting ministers^.,
at New- Haven, notices concerning 162, 245, 293,294
hooper,, the Rev; Miles, LL, D. narrowly escapes, the:
fyrv of the mob at Neiv- York 29 1
308 INDEX.
Cornwall 146
Cotton, the Rev. Mr. notices relating to 59, note 137
Coventry 129
Council of Plymouth, their grant, 26
Courts instituted in Connecticut 79, 80. Cruehy of the
ecclesiastical in New Enj^land 124
Cuba, description of; an animal so called, and extraordi-
nary qualities of male and female 190
Cursette, Mrs. surprizing discovery of her will 153
Customs of the people 2it3, borrowed of the Indians 237
—■239
Cutler, the Rev. Dr. declares for the Church of Eng-
land 170
D.
Daggett, the Rev. Mr. Naphthali, character of 162, kill-
ed 296
Danbury 171, burnt 295
Derby 165
Davenport, the Rev. John, arrives at New-Haven 31, his
church system 52
Dead, buried with their feet to the west 119
Dibblee, the Rev. Mr. cruelly treated 300
Dixwell, buried at New-Haven 74, note
Douolas, Dr. sCme account of 92
Durham l65
Dutch get footing on Manhattan island, but are com-
pelled to submit by Argal 26, revolt 29
Dyer, Mr. takes an active part in regard to the stamp
'act 252—254
E.
East Haiden 137
East Windsor. See Windsor
Eaton, Mr. Theophilus, arrives at New-Haven 31, cho-
sen Governor 52. His true chii racier pointed out 150
Election, management of. in Connecticut 236
Elliott, the Rev. Mr. some mention of, 125
Enfield 137
Expenditure of Connecticut 205
Exports of Connecticut 1 99
F.
i^irfield 166. Burnt 296.
Farmirjgton 141.
Fen wick, Georjre, Esq. first arrives at Saybrook 31.
His and associates' right to settle in Connecticut dis-
cussed, and disproved 33 — 38. Disposes of his pro-
perty in America, and returns to England 56.
Fitch, Governor, his conduct on occasion of the stamp-
act 247,253, 255^259.
Fish of Connecticut 197.
Franklin, Dr, notices concerning 247,248, 279.
Frogs,, an amazing multitude, humorous stoFy of 126.
G.
Gage, General, arrives at Boston 282. Fortifies Bos-
ton Neck 287, 290. In imnnnent danger of being
surprised in Boston 289,
Gates, Sir Thomas, and associates, account of their pa-
tent 25.
Gavelkind, custom of, prevails in Connecticut 234.
General Assembly. See Assembly.
General List, account and specimen of 206.
Gibbs, the Rev. Mr. inhuman treatment of 142^..
Glastonbury 137.
Glover, Mr. his wickedness in concealing Mrs. Curs-
sette's will 153.
Glow-bug, described 195.
Goshen 146.
Government, some account of 208,211. The clergy,
merchants, and lawyers, the three grand parties in
the state 211,
Governments, bad pohcy of most 265. ^Ilj
Graves, the Rev. Mr. cruel treatment of 300. ^^IB
Great Barrington, why obnoxious to the mob 285.
Greensmith, Mrs. the first per»on executed as a witch
in America 134.
Greenwich 166.
Grenville, George, Esq. mobbed, hung, and burnt in ef^
fi^y 250, 251, note.
310 INDKX.
Grigson, Mr. very extraordinary concealment of his
will 150.
Groton 117.
Guilford, described 163.
H.
Haddam 137.
Hall, Colonel Street, chosen commander of a mob of
' revolters against the General Asseml)ly, his conduct
and extraordinary speech 259 — 262.
Hamilton, Marquis of, his title to a part of Connecticut
proved 36 — 38.
Hancock, John, Esq. his dishonorable conduct in regard
to Mrs. Cursette's will 153, 154.
Hancock, Mr. his opposition to the tea*act, and artifice
in disposing of his own stock 280 — 282.
Hartland 146.
Harvey, Mr. Joel, receives a premium from the Society
of Arts in London 146.
Harrison, Peter, Esq. his spirited and honorable con-
duct in discovering Mr Grigson's will 151.
, Major General Thomas, hanged at Charing
Cross 139.
Haynes, Mr. John, settles at Hertford 31. Voted Go-
vernor 49.
Hebron, description of 138. Refuses to contribute to
the relief of the Bostonians, on the shutting up their
port 383.
Harrington 141.
Hertford, first settlement there by the English 31. By
what authority 40. Description of 133. Curiosities
in it 135.
Hooker, the Rev. Thomas, settles at Hertford 31. His
motive for quitting Massachusetts-Bay 39. Church
system 49, 136.
Houling Wilderness, Connecticut improperly so called
in 1636 100.
H''et, the Rev. Mr. somiC mention of 138.
Humble-bee, description of 196.
Humility, a bird go called^ described 193,
iNDEiC. ' 311
I.
Imports 201.
Independence, idea of strengthened by charter 82.
Symplorus of, iaan;fested by the colonists 246. Not
the wish of the common people 294. But of their insti-
gators, the clergy, merchants, and lawyers 273, 294.
Formally declared by Congress 300.
Indians, their mode of counting 45, note. Number of
them killed in Ilispaniola, Porto Rico, and South
America, and in Connecticut and Massachusetts-Bay
100. In the whole of North America and West India
Islands 101. Their aversion to the protestant reli-
gion 218.
Ingersoll, David, Esq. barbaroMsly treated 285.
Ingersoll Ja red, Esq. mobbed, and forced to resign his
post of stamp-master 249. Hung and burnt in effigy
250, note.
Inhabitants of Connecticut 198. Their hospitality to-
war(!s strangers 224. Of the men 237. Of the wo-
men 237.
Insects 195.
John.^on, Dr. Samuel, character of 163. Declares for
the church of England 170. Treacherous embassy
of his son 290.
Joshua, a pretended Sachem 41.
K.
Kent 146. >
Killingsley 130.
Killingsworth 125.
King's statue, at New- York, destroyed 292.
L.
Laws Blue, specimen of, 68. Other laws 80, 218.
Law suits, amazing number of 211, 221, 222. Re-
miikabie nature of some of them 222.
Latitude and longitude of Connecticut 181.
Lea . injT, the Rev. Mr. cruelly treated 300.
Leb:iiion 129.
Litchfield, described 144.
$li iKdex.
Little Isaac, a nickname given to the Americans 197.
Lyme 119.
M.
Manners of the people 223.
Mansfield, the Rev. Mr. tried for high treason 300.
Mansfield fowri 1.30.
Manufactures of Connecticut 199.
Mason, his claim to land in Connecticut 42.
Massachusetts- Bay, settled by puritans 30. Loses part
of its territory 95.
Merret, Mr. his shigular treatment on a chaige of in-
cest 123.
Middletown, described 137.
Milford 163.
Mill, curious, invented by Mr. Joel Harvey 146.
Minister, Sober-dissenting, manner of settling and dis-
missing 230.
Moodus, a pretended Sachem 41.
Moore, Sir Henry, begins to regrant Verdmont 97.
Motte, treacherously sent against Ticonderoga and
Crown Point 289.'
Mozley, the Rev. Mr. fined for mairying a couple of
his own parishioners 143.
N.
Neal, Rev. Mr. his representation about Sunksquaw,
Uncas, Joshua, Moodus, &c. exploded 41 — 43, 66^
67. Refutation of his doctrine concerning synods 121.
A sacramental test 213, 214. The loyalty of the New-
Englanders 216. His enmity against the Society for
the Propagation of the Gospel exposed 217. Notices
concerning 31. Note 38, 39, 43, 62. Note 84, 99,
116.
Negro, tried for castration 81. Negro slaves, their hard
case 101.
Neil, Mr. 167.
Nevi^-England, the Massachusetts country first so called
by Charles, prince of Wales 25. Divisions of 26 — 28,
Cause of its first settlement discussed 99.
New-Fairfeld 146,
INDEX. 313
New- Hampshire, deprived of territory 95, 96.
New-Haven, first settled by the Enghsh 32. Totally
without authority 40. Early proc^eedinsfs 66, Blue
Laws 67. State of, after the death of CroDiweil 75.
Accedes to the charter 76. Particnlar description
of 147. A ship fitted out to procure a patent, and
wonderful consequence 148, 149.
New-Hertford 146,
New-Lights, notices concerning 90, 213 — 215.
New-London described 116. Port of, well calculated
for tlie grand emporium of Connecticut 203.
New-Milford 145.
N-ewtown 171.
^ New-York gains land from Connecticut 78, 92, 93 ;
from Massachusetts-Bay and New-Han»p?hire 95, 06,
122. Constitution of, subverted by the Sober Dis-
senters 291.
Nichols, Col. deprives Connecticut of Long Island 78.
, the E.ev. Mr. cruelly treated 300.
Norwalk 166. Burnt 296.
Norwich, description of 118.
O
Old Lights, notices concerriirig 90, 213 — 215.
Oneko, a king of Mohegiij 42.
Onions, vast quantity raised in Weatliorsfield 136 : beds
of, weeded by the young femr.les of Wethersfield 136.
Osootonoc river, description of 1 14.
P.
Parsons, Hugh, fonnd guilty of witchcraft 135.
Pawwaw, anrient lnd;an rite, celebration of at Strat-
ford described 167.
Peters, the Rev. Hugh, account of himself and family 57,
note.
, the Rev. Samuel, account of 139, 283, 289, 299.
, the Rev. Thomas, his arrival at Saybrook 31 ;
chijirch systetn 47 ; school 57 ; character 58, some
particulars of his life, ibid note.
, William, particulars relating to 58 — 61, note.
97
314 INDEX.
Phelps treacherously sent on an expedition against Ti-
conderoga and Crown Point 289.
Pitt, Mr. a churchman, whipped for not attending meet-
ing 220.
Plainfield 133.
Plymouth, New, founded 30.
Pomeroy, Rev. Dr. character of 139.
Pomfret 130.
Population 198.
Pork, unfair dealing in 201.
Potter, Deacon, unjustly convicted of beastiality 155.
Poultry of Contiecticut 193.
Presbyterians, disliked and ill-treated by Sober Dissen-
ters 133, 209.
Preston 118.
Produce of Connecticut 1 84.
Prayer of some of the episcopal clergy in the southern
provinces before Congress 302.
Pumpkin, hair cut by the shell of 154.
Pumpkin-heads, a name given to the New-Englanders
154, 155.
Punderson, the Rev. Mr. joins the church of England
171.
Putnam, General, curious anecdotes of, 131. Kills a
bear and cubs 132. His narrow escape from the In-
dians 132, terrible to them 133. Alarms the country
by a letter concerning Admiral Graves and General
Gage 298.
Q.
Quackery triumpliant 144.
Quaker, shrewd retort of one upon his judges 90.
Quinnipiog, kingdom of 146. Refuses to grant iand to
the settlers, and is murdered 65, 66.
R.
Rattle-snake, some account of 196. Useof its skin 237.
Reading 171.
Rebellion, true sources of in America 267 — 277.
Koligion, the established 80.
Reptiles 196.
INDEX. 315
Revenue 205. Objections against raising in America
264.
Rhode-Island, infamous law of the General Assembly
of 1 73.
Ridgefield, 171. Burnt 295.
Rivers, the three principal described 109 — ll4.
ilivington, Mr. plundered 292.
S.
Sabbath, rigidly observed 225. How broken by an
episcopal clergyman 226.
Salary ofthe Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Treasur-
er, &LC. 208.
Salisbury 146.
Sandeman, the Rev. Mr. doctrine of 172.
Sassacus, sachem of the Pequods, his kingdom and cha-
racter 1 14.
Saybrook, founded 31. Described 120. Its civil and
religious establishments 47. Early proceedings 54.
Enters into confederacy 74. Refuses to send agents
to England, to oppose the king 56. Forms an alli-
ance with Hertford 57, and joins in a secret applica-
tion for a charter 75.
Saybrool- Platform, some account of 120.
Scovil, the Rev. Mr. cruel treatment of 300.
Seabury, Rev. Dr. taken prisoner 291.
Sects, religious, in Connecticut, some account of 208.
Sharon, famous for a mill 146.
Ship, wonderful story of one fitted out at New-Haven
148.
Sick, horrid mode of visiting 232.
Skunk, description and wonderful property of 191.
Smith, the Rev. Mr. notices of 63, 137.
, William, notices concerning 91, 92, 93, 98, 107,
180,276.
Sober Dissenters, religion of, established in Connecticut
80. Their uncandid conduct towards Episcopalians,
Anabaptists, Quakers, &-c. in regard to parish rates
219, and their severe treatment of Mr. Gibbs for re-
fusing to pay them 142. Tiioir humanity ta sick
216 INDEX.
strangers and persons shipwrecked 233. Partial sup-
port of 233
Society for the Propagation of the Grospel in Foreign
Parts, notices concerning 57 note, 175, 176, 177,216,.
217,276, 97, 170, 245
Soil 184
Sommers 138
Stafford, the New England Bath 141
Stamford 166
Stamp act, proceedings and opinions relating to, in Con-
necticut 244 — 265
Stirling, E. of his claim to part of Connecticut 35
Stonington 118
Stratford, description of, 166
, river 1 14
Strong, the Rev. Mr. Nehemiah 163
Superstition, striking instance of 210
Sunksquaw, pretended sachem 41, 42, 66
Suffield 137
Symshury mines, account of 141
T.
Tea, act for sending to America, violently opposed 279..
280
Temple, Mr. seditious letters imputed to 279
Test, sacramental, unnecessary in New England 213
Thames river, described 109
Ticonderoga, secret expedition against 290
Tolland 138
Torrington 146
Travellers, English, how treated by landlords in Cor>
necticut 105
Tree-frog, agility of 1 97
Trumbidl, Governor, furnishes a dress for the effigy of
Mr. Grenville 250 note, writes an insidious letter to
Gen. Gage 287, adds to an alarming one from Gen.
Putnam 299, and spirits up the mob against the loy-
alists 299
Tryon, Governor, his character 106 — 108, escapes the
mob at New- York 291, burns JDanbury and Ridge-
tield 295, releases the prisoners at New-Haven 296,
burns Fairlieltl and Norwa'k 29Q
u.
Uncas, pretended sachem 41, 42
Union 130
V.
Veidmont, account of 96 — 100
Viets, the Rev. Mr. tried for high treason oOO
Visey, the Rev. Mr. suppresses the Indian Pavvwaw at
Stratford 168
Voluntown 133
W.
Wallingford description of 165
Warwick, Earl of, his title to the soil of any part of Con-
necticut, disproved 33 — 38
Wdterbury 165
Weathersfield, description of 136, singular industry of
the females there 136
Wentworth, Benning, Esq. grants townships in Verd-
mont 96
Whapperknocker, description of 189
Wheelock, Dr. Eleazar, notices concerning 62, note 12&
¥/hipperwill, descri])tion of 194
Whitetield, the R-ev. George, anecdote of 117, and cha-
racter 164. Attempts to work a miracle atSaybrook
125. His character of the people of Norwich 119,
of those of Hebron 138, of Guilford 164, of Con-
necticut in general 1 74, 224
Whitmore, the Rev. Mr. declares for the Church of
England 170
Will, scandalous concealment of Mr. Giigson's 150, of
Mrs. Cursetle's 153
Wiliington 130
Winchester 146
Windham 126^ inhabitants of terribly alarmed by frogs
12-;
Windsor, described, 137
Wolf ott, Oliver, treacherous ambassv of 290
27^
313 INDEX.
Wooodbury 145.
Woodchuck, description of 189
Woodstock 130
Woester, General, mortally wounded 295
Y.
Yale College, account of, 157 — 163, retort of its Cor
poration upon the General Assembly 86
York, Duke of, obtains a grant including half of Con-
necticut 77.
SUPP1.EMENT.
Note A.
About two years after he made a second voyage
to the river, in the service of a number of Dutch
merchants 5 and, some time after, made sale of
his right to the Dutch. The right to the coun-
try, however^ was antecedently in kmg James, by
virtue of the discovery which Hudson had made
under his commission. The English protested
against the sale ; but the Dutch, in i6l4, under
the Amsterdam West India Company, built a fort
nearly on the same ground where the city of Al-
bany now is, which they called fort Aurania. Sir
Thomas Dale, governor of Virginia, directly after
dispatched captain Argall to dispossess the
Dutch, and they submitted to the king of Eng-
land, and under him, to the governor of Vir-
ginia.
Note B.
November 3d, 1620, just before the arrival of
Mr. Robinson's people in New-England, king
James the first, by letters patent, under the great
seal of England, incorporated the duke of Lenox,
the marquises of Buckingham and Hamilton, the
earls of Arundel and Warwick, and others, to the
number of forty noblemen, knights and gentle-
men, by the name of "the council established at
Plymouth in the county of Devon, for the plant-
ing, ruling and gover.iing of New-England in
America"—" and granted unto them, and their
320 aCPFLFMENT.
successors and assigns, all that part of America,
1}' ng uad being in breadth from forty (degrees
of north latitude, from the equinoctial line, to the
forty-eighth degree of said north latitude inclu-
sively, and in leiigth of, and vv ithin all the breadth
aforesaid, throughout the ma'ii lands from sea to
sea." The patent orda ned that this tract of
country should be called New-England in Ame-
rica, and by that name have continuance forever.
Note C.
The same year in which the patent of Massa-
chusetts received the royal confirmation, Mr. John
Endicott was sent over, with about three hun-
dred people, by the patentees, to prepare the
way for the settlement of a permanent colony in
that part of New-England. They arrived at
Naumkeak in June, and began a settlement, which
they named Salem. This was the first town in
Massachusetts, and the second in New-England.
Note D.
Nearly at the same time, Oct. 8, 1635, Mr.
John Winthrop, son of governor \Vinthroj>, of
Massachusetts, arrived at Boston, with a commis-
sion from lord Say and Seal, lord Brook, and
other noblemen and gentlemen interested in the
Connecticut patent, to erect a fort at the mouth
of Connecticut river. Their lordships sent over
men, ordnance, ammunition, and i2,O0O pounds
sterling, for the accomplishment of their design.
Mr. Winthrop was directed by his commission,
immediately on his arrival, to repair to Connecti"
c^t, with fifty able men, and to erect the fortifi-
cations, and to build houses for the garrison, and
for gentlemen who might come over into Con-
necticut. They were first to build houses for
SUPPLEMENT. 321
iheir then present accommodation, and after that,
such as should be suitable for the reception of
men of quality. The latter were to be erected
within the fort. It was required that the plan-
ters, at the beginning, should settle themselves
near the mouth of the river, and set down in bo-
dies, that they might be in a situation for en-
trenching and defending themselves. The com-
mission made provision for the reservation of a
thousand or fifteen hundred acres of good land,
for the maintenance of the fort, as nearly adjoin-
ing to it as might be with convenience.
Mr. Winthrop, having intelligence that the
Dutch were preparing to take possession of the
mouth of the river, ns soon as he could engage
twenty men, and furnish them with provisions,
dispatched them in a small vessel, of about thirty
tons, to prevent their getting the command of the
river, and to accomplish the service to which he
had been appointed.
But a few days after the party sent by Mr.
Winthrop, arrived at the mouth of the river, a
Dutch vessel appeared ott' the harbor, from New-
Netherlands, sent on purpose to take possession of
the entrance of the river, and to erect fortifications.
The English had, by this time, mounted two pieces
of cannon, and prevented their landing. Thus,
providentially, was this fine tract of country pre-
served for our venerable ancestors, and their pos-
terity.
Mr. Winthrop was appointed governor of the
river Connecticut, and the parts adjacent, for the
term of one year. He erected a fort, built houses,
and made a settlement, according to his instruc-
tions. One David Gardiner, an expert engineer^
assisted in the work, planned the fortifications^
and was appointed lieutenant of the fort>
322 SUPPLEMENT.
Mr. Davenport and others, who afterwards set-
tled New-Haven, were active in this affair, and
hired Gardiner, in behalf of their lordships, to
come into New-England and assist in this busi-
ness.
As the settlement of the three towns on Con-
necticut river was begun before the arrival of Mr.
Winthrop, and the designs of their lordships to
make plantations upon it was known, it was
agreed, that the settlers on the river should either
remove, upon full satisfaction made, by their lord-
ships, or else sufficient room should be found for
them and their companies at some other place.
Note E.
While these plantations were forming in the
south-western part of Connecticut, another com-
menced on the west side of the mo'.;th of (Con-
necticut river. A fort had been built here in
1635 and 1636, and preparations had been made
for the reception of gentlemen of quality ; but
the war with the Pequots, the uncultivated state
of the country, and the low condition of the co-
lony, prevented the coming of any principal cha-
racter from England, to take possession of a
township, and make settlements in this tract.
Until this time, there had been only a garrison of
about twenty men in the place. They had made
some small improvement of the lands, and erected
a few buildings in the vicinity of the fort ; but
there had been no settlement of a plantation with
civil privileges. But about midsummer, Mr.
George Fenwick, with his lady and family, arrived
in a ship of 250 tons. Another ship came in
company with him. They were both for Quinni-
piack. Mr. Fenwick and others, came over with
a view to take possession of a large tract upon
SUPPLF.MENT. 32S
the river, in behalf of theiv lordships, the original
patentees, and to pknt a T'.vvn at the mouth of
the river. A settimtnt was soon made, and
named Saybrook, in honor of their lordships,
Say and Seal and Brook. Mr. Feiiwick, Mr.
Thomas Peters, who was the first minister in the
plantation, captain Gardiner, Thomas Lefling-
wejj; Tijomas Tracy, and captain John Mason,
were some of the principal planters.
Noi E F.
In July, 1633. Mr. Winslow and Mr. Bradford
therefore made a journey to Boston, to confer with
governor Winthrop and his council, on the sub-
ject. Governor Winslow and Mr. Bradford pro-
posed it to them, to join with Plymouth, in a trade
to Connecticut, for hemp and beaver, and to erect
a house f«>r the purposes of commerce. It was
represented as necessary, to prevent the Dutch
from taking possession of that fine country, who,
it was reported, were about to build upon the ri-
ver : but governor Winthrop declined the motion :
he objected that it was not proper to make a
plantation there, because there were three or
four thousand vvarlike Indians upon the river; and
because the bar at the mouth of it was such, that
small pinnaces only could enter it at high water;
and because that, seven months in the year, no
vessels could go into it, by reason of the ice, and
the violence of the stream.
The Plymouth people therefore determined to
undertake the enterprise at their own risk. Pre*-
parations were made for erecting a trading house,
and establishing a small company upon the river.
In the meantime the master of a vessel from Mas-
sachusetts, who was trading at New-Netherlands,
shewed to Walter Van Twiller, the Dutch gover-
324 SUPPLEMENT.
nor, the commission which the English had to
trade and settle in New-England ; and that his
majesty the king of England, had granted all
these parts to his own subjects. He therefore
desired that the Dutch would not build at Con-
necticut. This appears to have been done at the
direction of governor Winthrop ; for, in conse-
quence of it, the Dutch governor wrote a very
complaisant letter to him, in which he represent-
ed, that the lords, the States General, had granted
the same country to the West India company.
He requested therefore, that the English would
make no settlements at Connecticut, until the af-
fair should be determined between the court of
England, and the States General. This appears
to have been a piece of policy in the Dutch go-
vernor, to keep the English still, until the Dutch
had got a firm footing upon the river.
Several vessels, this year, went into Connecti-
cut river to trade. John Oldham, fr* m Dorches-
ter, and three men with him, also travelled
through the wilderness to Connecticut, to view
the country, and trade with the Indians. The
sachem upon the river made him most welcome,
and gave him a present in beaver. He found
that the Indian hem}) grew spontaneously in the
meadows, in great abundance ; he purchased a
quantity ot it; and, upon trial, it appeared much
to exceed the hemp which grew in England.
William Holmes, of Plymouth, with his compa-
ny, having j)repared the frame of a house, with
boards and materials for covering it immediately,
put them on board a vessel, and sailed for Con-
necticut. Holmes jiad a commission from the
governor of Plymouth, and a chosen conijany to
accomplisli his design. When he came into the
river, he found that the Dutch had got in before
SUPPLEMENT. , 325
him, made a light fort, and planted two pieces of
cannon : this was erected at the place since call-
ed Hartford. The Dutch forbid Holmes' going
up the river, stood by their cannon, ordered him
to strike his colors, or they would fire upon him ;
but he was a man of spirit, assured them that he
had a commission from the governor of Plymouth
to go up the river, and that he must obey his or-
ders ; they poured out their threats, but he pro-
ceeded, and landing on the west side'of the river,
erected his house a little below the mouth of the
little river in Windsor. The house was covered
with the utmost despatch, and fortified with pa-
lisadoes. The sachems, who were the original
owners of the soil, had been driven from this
part of the country, by the Pequots ; and were
now carried home on board Holmes' vessel. Of
them the Plymouth people purchased the land on
which they erected their house. This, governor
Wolcott says, was the first house erected in Con-
necticut. The Dutch, about the same time,
erected a trading house at Hartford, which they
called the hirse of good hope.
It was with great difficulty that Holmes and his
company erected and fortified their house, and
kept it afterwards. The Indians were offended
at their bringing home the original proprietors,
and lords of the country, and the Dutch that they
had settled there, and were about to rival them
in trade, and in the possession of those excellent
lands upon the river : they v/ere obliged there-
fore to combat both, and to keep a constant
watch upon them.
The Dutch, before the Plymouth people took
possession of the river, had invited them in an
amicable manner, to trade at Connecticut; but
when they were apprised that they were making
28
326 SUPPLEMENT.
preparations for a settlement there, they repented
of the invitation, and spared no exertions to pre-
vent them.
On the 8th of June, the Dutch had sent Jacob
VanCurter, to purchase lands upon the Connecti-
cut. He made a purchase of about twenty acres
at Hartford, of Nepuquash, a Pequot captain.
Of this the Dutcli took possession in October,
and on the 25th of the month, Curter protested
against William Holmes, the builder of the Ply-
mouth house. Some time afterwards, the Dutch
governor, Walter Van Twiller, of fort Amsterdam,
dispatched a reinforcement to Connecticut, de-
signing to drive Holmes and his company from
the river. A band of seventy men, under arms,
with banners displayed, assaulted the Plymouth
house, but they found it so well fortified, and the
men who kept it so vigilant and determined, that
it could not be taken without bloodshed : they
therefore came to a parley, and finally returned
in peace.
Note G.
About the beginning of June, 1636, Mr. Hooker,
Mr. Stone, and about a hundred men, women and
children, took their departure from Cambridge,
and travelled more than a hundred miles through
a hideous and trackless wilderness, to Hartford.
They had no guide but their compass; made
their way over mountains, through swamps, thick-
ets, and rivers, which were not passable but with
great difficulty. They had no cover but the
heavens, nor any lodgings but those which sim-
ple nature aflforded them. They drove with
them a hundred and sixty head of cattle, and by
the way subsisted on the milk of their cows.
Mrs. Hooker was borne through the wilderness
SUPPLEMENT. 327
Upon a litter. The people generally carried their
packs, arms, and some utensils. They were near-
ly a fortnight on their journey.
Note H.
While the planters of Connecticut were thus
exerting themselves ii\ prosecuting and regulating
the affairs of that colony, another was projected
and settled at Quinnipiack, afterwards called
New-Haven. On the 2Gth of July 1637, Mr.
John |Davenport, Mr. Samuel Eaton, Theophilus
Eaton and Edward Hopkins, Esquires, Mr. Thomas
Gregson and many others of good characters and
fortunes arrived at Boston. Mr. Davenport had
been a famous minister in the city of London,
and was a distinguished character for piety, learn-
ing, and good conduct. Many of his congrega-
tion, on account of the esteem which they had for
his person and ministry, followed him into New-
England. Mr. Eaton and Mr. Hopkins had been
merchants in London, possessed great estates,
and were men of eminence for their abilities and
integrity. The fame of Mr. Davenport, the repu-
tation and good estates of the principal gentle-
men of his company, made the people of the
Massachusetts exceedingly desirous of their set-
tlement in that commonwealth. Great pains
were taken, not only by particular persons and
towns, but by the general court, to fix them in
the colony. Charlestown made them large offers 5
and Newbury proposed to give up the whole
town to them. The general court offered them
any place which they should choose. But they
were determined to plant a distant colony. By
the pursuit of the Pequots to the westward, the
English became acquainted with that fine tract
along the shore, from Saybrook to Fairfield, and
328 SUPPLEMENT. •
with its several harbors. It was represented as
fruitful, and happily situated for navigation and
commerce. The company therefore projected a
settlement in that part of the country.
In the fall of 1637, Mr. Eaton, and others, who
were of the company, made a journey to Con-
necticut, to explore the lands and harbors on the
sea coast. They pitched upon Quinnipiack for
the place of their settlement. They erected a
poor hut, in which a few men subsisted through
the winter.
On the 30th of March, 1638, Mr. Davenport,
Mr Prudden, Mr. Samuel Eaton, and Theophilus
Eaton, Esq. with the people of their company,
sailed from Boston for Quinnipiack. In about a
fortnight they arrived at the desired port. On
the 14th of April, they kept their first sabbath in
the place. The people assembled under a large
spreading oak, and Mr. Davenport preached to
them from Matthew vi. 1. He insisted on the
temptations of the wilderness, made such obser-
vations, and gave such directions and exhorta-
tions as were pertinent to the then present state
of his hearers. He left this remark. That he en-
joyed a good day.
Note I.
While the colonists were thus prosecuting the
business of settlement, in New-England, the right
honorable James, marquis of Hamilton, obtained
a grant from the council of Plymouth, April 20th,
1635, of all that tract of country, which lies be-
tween Connecticut river and Narraganset river
and harbor, and from the mouths of each of said
rivers northward sixty miles into the country.
However, by reason of its interference with the
grant to the lord Sav and Seal, lord Brook, &c.,
SUPPLEMENT. 329
or for some other reason, the deed was never exe-
cuted. The marquis made no settlement upon
the land and the claim became obsolete.
Note K.
Such numbers were constantly emigrating to
New-England, in consequence of the persecution
of the puritans, that the people at Dorchester,
Waterto wn and Newtown, began to be much
straitened, by the accession of new planters. By
those who had been at Connecticut they had re-
ceived intelligence of the excellent meadows up-
on the river ; they therefore determined to remove
and once more brave the dangers and hardships
of making settlements in a dreary wilderness.
Upon application to the general court for the
enlargement of their boundaries, or for liberty to
remove, they, at first, obtained consent for the
latter. However, when it was afterwards disco-,
vered, that their determination was to plant a
new colony at Connecticut, there arose a strong
opposition; so that when the court convened in
September, there was a warm debate on the sub-
ject, and a great division between the houses.
Indeed, the whole colony was afiected with the
dispute.
Mr. Hooker, who was more engaged in the en-
terprise than the other ministers, took up the af-
fair and pleaded for the people. He urged, that
they were so straitened for accommodations for
their cattle, that they could not support the mi-
nistry, neither receive, nor assist any more of
their friends, who might come over to them. He
insisted that the planting of towns so near to»
gether, was a fundamental error in their policy.
He pleaded the fertility and happy accommoda-
tions of Connecticut : that settlements upon the
28*
330 SUPPLEMENT.
river were necessary to prevent the Dutch and
others from possessing themselves of so fruitful
and important a part of the country ; and that the
minds of the people were strongly inclined to
plant themselves there, in preference to every
other place, which had come to their knowledge.
On the other side it was insisted. That in point
of conscience they ought not to depart, as they
were united to the Massachusetts as one body,
and bound by oath to seek the good of that com-
monwealth : and that on principles of policy it
could not, by any means, be granted. It was
pleaded, that as the settlements in the Massachu-
setts were new and weak, they were in danger of
an assault from their enemies : that the depar-
ture of Mr. Hooker and the people of those
towns, would not only draw off many from the
Massachusetts, but prevent others from settling
in the colony. Besides, it was said, that the re-
moving of a candlestick was a great judgment :
that by suffering it they should expose their
brethren to great danger, both from the Dutch
and Indians. Indeed, it was affirmed that they
might be accommodated by the enlargements of-
fered them by the other towns.
After a long and warm debate, the governor,
two assistants, and a majority of the representa-
tives, were for granting liberty for Mr. Hooker
and the people to transplant themselves to Con-
necticut. The deputy governor however and six
of the assistants were in the negative, and so no
vote could be obtained.
Note L.
The next May, the Newtown people determin-
ing to settle at Connecticut, renewed their appli-
cation to the general court, and obtained liberty
SUPPLEMENT. 331
to remove to any place which they should chose,
with this proviso, that they should continue under
the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts.
Note M.
It was the opinion of the principal divines, who
settled New-England and Connecticut, that in
every church, completely organized, there was a
pastor, teacher, ruling elder, and deacons. These
distinct offices they imagined were clearly taught
in those passages, Romans xii. 7, 1 Cor. xii. 28,
1 Timothy V. 17, and Ephesians iv. 11. From
these they argued the duty of all churches, which
were able, to be thus furnished. In this manner
were the churches of Hartford, Windsor, Nevv-
Haven, and other towns organized. The church-
es, which were not able to support a pastor and
teacher, had their ruling elders and deacons.
Their ruling elders were ordained with no less
solemnity, than their pastors and teachers. Where
no teacher could be obtained, the pastor per-
formed the duties both of pastor and teacher.
It was the general opinion, that the pastor's work
consisted principally in exhortation, in working
upon the will and affections. To this the whole
force of his studies was to be directed ; that, by
his judicious, powerful, and affectionate addresses,
he might win his hearers to the love and practice
of the truth. But the teacher was doctor in
ecclesia, whose business it was to teach and ex-
plain, and defend, the doctrines of Christianity.
He was to inform the judgment, and advance the
work of illumination.
The business of the ruling elder was to assist
the pastor in the government of the church. He
was particularly set apart to watch over all its
members : to prepare and bring forward all cases
332 SUPPLEMENT.
of discipline ; to visit and pray with the sick ;
and, in the absence of the pastor and teacher, to
pray with the congregation and expound the
scriptures.
The pastors and churches of New-England
maintained with the reformed churches in general,
that bishops and presbyters were only different
names for the same office ; and that all pastors,
regularly separated to the gospel ministry, were
scripture bishops. They also insisted, agreeably
to the primitive practice, that the work of every
pastor was confined, principally, to one particular
church and congregation, who could all assemble
at one place, whom he could inspect, and who
could all unite together in acts of worship and
discipline. Indeed the first ministers of Connec-
ticut and New-England at first maintained, that
all the pastor's office power was confined to his
own church and congregation, and that the ad-
ministering of baptism and Lord's supper in other
churches was irregular.
With respect to ordination, they held, that it
did not constitute the essentials of the ministerial
office ; but the qualifications for office, the elec-
tion of the church, guided by tlie rule of Christ,
and the acceptance of the pastor elect. Says
Mr. Hooker, " Ordination is an approbation of
the officer, and solemn sitting and confirmation
of him in liis office, by prayer and laying on of
hands." It was viewed, by the ministers of New-
England, as no more than putting the pastor
elect into office, or a solemn recommending of
him and his labors to the blessings of God. It
was the general opinion, that elders ought to lay
on hands in ordination, if there were a presbytery
in the church, but if there were not, the church,
mio"ht appoint some other elders, or a number of
the rebth rento that service.
suppeement. 333
Note N.
On the fourth of June, all the free planters at
Q,uinnipiack convened in a large barn of Mr.
Newman's, and, in a very formal and solemn man-
ner, proceeded to lay the foundations of their ci-
vil and religious polity.
Mr. Davenport introduced the business, by a
sermon from the words of the royal preacher, —
" Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn
out her seven pillars." His design was to show,
that the church, the house of God, should be
formed of seven pillars, or principal brethren, to
whom all the other members of the church should
be added. After a solemn invocation of the Di-
vine Majesty, he proceeded to represent to the
planters, that they were met to consult respecting
the settlement of civil government according to
the will of God, and for the nomination of per-
sons, who, by universal consent, were, in all re-
spects, the best qualified for the foundation work
of a church. He enlarged on the great impor-
tance of the transactions before them, and desired
that no man would give his voice in any matter,
until he fully understood it; and, that all would
act, without respect to any man, but give their
vote in the fear of God. He then proposed a
number of questions in consequence of which the
following resolutions were passed.
I. That the scriptures hold forth a perfect rule
for the direction and government of all men in all
duties which they are to perform to God and
men, as well in families and commonwealth, as in
matters of the church.
H. That as in matters which concerned the
gathering and ordering of a church, so likewise
in all public offices which concern civil order, as
the choice of magistrates and officers, making and
repealing laws, diving allotments of inheritance,
o34 SUPPLEMENT.
and all things of like nature, they would all be
governed by those rules, which the scripture
held forth to them.
III. " That all those who had desired to be re-
ceived as free planters, had settled in the planta-
tion, with a purpose, resolution and desire, that
they might be admitted into church fellowship
according to Christ."
IV. "That all the free planters held them-
selves bound to establish such civil order as
might best conduce to the securing of the purity
and peace of the ordinance to themselves and
their posterity according to God."
When these resolutions had been passed and
the people had bound themselves to settle civil
government according to the divine word, Mr.
Davenport proceeded to represent unto them
what men they must choose according to the di-
vine word, and that they might most effectually
secure to them and their posterity a just, free and
peacable government. Time was then given to
discuss and deliberate upon what he had pro-
posed. After full discussion and deliberation it
was determined —
V. "That church members only should be free
burgesses ; and that they only should choose ma-
gistrates among themselves, to have power of
transacting all the public civil affairs of the plan-
tation : Of making and repealing laws, dividing
inheritances, deciding of differences that may
arise, and doing all things and business of a like
nature."
That civil officers might be chosen and govern-
ment proceed according to these resolutions, it
was necessary that a church should be formed.
Without this there could be neither freemen nor
magistrates. Mr. Davenport therefore proceeded
SUPPLEMENT. 335
to make proposals relative to the formation of it,
in such a manner, that no blemish might be left
on the " beginnings of church work." It was
then resolved to this effect,
VI. " That twelve men should be chosen, that
their fitness for the foundation work might be
tried, and that it should be in the power of those
twelve men, to choose seven to begin the church."
It was agreed that if seven men could not be
found among the twelve qualified for the founda-
tion work, that such other persons should be taken
into the number, upon trial, as should be judged
most suitable. The form of a solemn charge, or
oath, was drawn up and agreed upon at this meet-
ing to be given to all the freemen.
Further, it was ordered, that all persons, who
should be received as free planters of that corpo-
ration, should submit to the fundamental agree-
ment above related, and in testimony of their
submission, should subscribe their names among
the freemen.* After a proper term of trial, The-
ophilus Eaton, Esq., Mr. John Davenport, Robert
Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Thomas Fugill, John
Punderson, and Jeremiah Dixon, were chosen for
the seven pillars of the church.
October 25th, 1639, the court, as it is termed,
consisting of these seven persons only, convened,
and after a solemn address to the Supreme Ma-
jesty, they proceeded to form a body of freemen,
and to elect their civil officers. The manner was
indeed singular and curious.
In the first place, all former trust, for managing
the public affairs of the plantation, was declared
* Sixty-three subscribed on the 4th day of June, and there
were added soon after about fifty other names.
336 SUPPLEMENT.
to cease, and be utterly abrogated. Then all
those who had been admitted to the church after
the gathering of it, in the choice of the seven
pillars, and all the members of other approved
churches, who desired it, and offered themselves,
were admitted members of the court. A solemn
charge was then publicly given them, to the same
effect as the freemen's charge, or oath, which
they had previously adopted. The purport of
this was nearly the same with the oath of fidelity,
and with the freemen's administered at the pre-
sent time. Mr. Davenport expounded several
scriptures to them, describing the character of
civil magistrates given in the sacred oracles. To
this succeeded the election of officers. Theophi-
lus Eaton, Esq. was chosen governor, Mr. Robert
Newman, Mr. Matthew Gilbert, Mr. Nathaniel
Turner, and Mr. Thomas Fugill, were chosen ma-
gistrates. Mr. Fugill was also chosen secretary,
and Robert Seely, marshal.
Mr. Davenport gave governor Eaton a charge
in open court, fiom Deut. i. 16, 17. "And I
charged your judges at that time, saying. Hear
the causes between your brethren, and judge
righteously between every man and his brother,
and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not
respect persons in judgment, but ye shall hear
the small as well as the great; ye shall not be
afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is
God's; and the cause that is too hard for you,
bring it unto me, and I will hear it."
It was decreed by the freemen, that there
should be a general court annually, in the planta-
tion, on the last week in'October. This was or-
dained a court of election in which all the officers
of the colony were to be chosen. This court de-
termined that the word of God should be the only
SUPPLEMENT. 337
rule for ordering the affairs of government in that
commonwealth.
This was the original, fundamental constitution
of the government of New-Haven. All govern-
ment was originally in the church, and the mem-
bers of the church elected the governor, magis-
trates, and all other officers. The magistrates at
first, were no more than assistants of the governor,
they might not act in any sentence or determina-
tion of the court. No deputy governor was cho-
sen, nor were any laws enacted, except the gene-
ral resolutions which have been noticed ; but as
the plantation enlarged, and new towns were set-
tled, new orders were given ; the general court
received a new form, laws were enacted, and the
civil polity of this jurisdiction gradu'^lly advanced,
in its essential parts, to a near resemblance of the
government of Connecticut.
Note O.
As tobacco, about this time, was coming into
use, in the colony, a very curious law was made
for its regulation, or suppression. It was order-
ed, that no person under twenty years of agf.% nor
any other, who had not already accustomed him-
self to the use of it, .should tbke any tobacco un-
til he had obtained a certificcite from under the
hand of an approved physician, that it was useful
for him, and until he had also obtained a ht^ence
from the court. All others, who had addicted
themselves to the use of it, were prohibited from
taki.ig it. in any company, or at their labors, or
in travelling unless ten miles, at least, from any
company; and though not in company, not more
than once a day, upon pain of a fine of a sixpence
for every such off< nee. One substantial witness
was to be a sufficient proof of the crime. The
. 29
338 SUPPLEMENT.
constables of the several towns were to make pre-
sentiment to the particular courts, and it was or*
dered, that the fine should be paid without gain-
saying.
Note P.
An affair had happened at New-Haven, a few
fnonths before this, which now began to alarm the
country, and soon gave great anxiety and trouble
to that colony.
Very soon after the restoration, a large number
of the judges of king Charles the first, commonly
termed regicides, were apprehended and brought
upon their trials in the Old Baily. Thirty-nine
were condemned, and ten executed as traitors.
Some others, apprehensive of danger, fled out of
the kingdom before king Charles II. was pro-
claimed. Colonels Whalley and Goffe made
their escape to New-England. They were
brought over by one captain Gooking, and ar-
rived at Boston in July 1660. Governor Endicott
and gentlemen of character, in Boston and its vi-
cinity, treated them with peculiar respect and
kindness. They were gentlemen of singular
abilities, and had moved in an exalted sphere.
Whalley had been a lieutenant general, and Goffe
a major general, in Cromwell's army. Their
manners were elegant, and their appearance
grave and dignified, commanding universal re-
spect. They soon went from Boston to Cam-
bridge, where they resided until February. They
resorted openly to places of public worship on
the Lord's day, and at other times of public devo-
tion. They were universally esteemed, by all
men of character, both civil and religious. But
no sooner was it known, that the judges had been
condemned as traitors, and that these gentlemen
SUPPLEMENT. 38^
were excepted from the act of pardon, than the
principal gentlemen in the Massachusetts began
to be alarmed. Governor Endicott called a
court of magistrates to consult measures for ap-
prehending them. However, their friends were
so numerous that a vote could not, at that time,
be obtained to arrest them. Some of the court
declared that they would stand by them, others
advised them to remove out of the colony.
Finding themselves unsafe at Cambridge, they
came, by the assistance of their friends, to Con-
necticut. They made their route by Hartford,
but went directly on to New-Haven. They ar-
rived about the 27th of March, and made Mr.
Davenport's house the place of their residence.
They were treated with the same marks of esteem
and generous friendship at New-Haven, which
they had received in the Massachusetts. The
more the people became acquainted with them,
the more they esteemed them, not only as men of
great minds, but of unfeigned piety and religion.
For some time, they appeared to apprehend them-
selves as out of danger, and happily situated
among a number of pious and agreeable friends.
But it was not long before the news of the king's
proclamation against the regicides arrived, re-
quiring, that wherever they might be found, they
should be immediately apprehended. The gover-
nor of Massachusetts, in consequence of the royal
proclamation, issued his warrant to arrest them.
As they were certified by their friends of all mea-
sures adopted respecting them, they removed to
Milford. There they appeared openly in the day
time, but at night often returned privately to
New-Haven, and were generally secreted at Mr,
Davenport's, until about the last of April.
In the meantime J the governor of Massachusetts
840 SUPPLEMENT.
received a royal mandate requiring him to appre-
hend them ; and a more full and circumstuiitial
account of the condemnation and the execution
of the ten regicides, and of the disposition of the
court tovvards them, and the republicans and pu-
ritans in general, arrived in New-England. This
gave a mure general and thorough alarm to the
whole country. A feigned search had been made
in the Massachusetts, in consequence of the for-
mer warrant, for the colonels Whalley and Goffe ;
but now the governor and magistrates began to
view the affair in a more serious point of light;
and appear to have been in earnest to secure
them. Tliey perceived, that their own personal
safety, and tiie liberties and peace of the country
were concerned in the manner of their conduct
towards those unhappy men. They therefore
immediately gave a commission to Thomas Kel-
lond and Thomas Kirk, two zealous young royal-
ists, to go through the colonies, as far as the Man-
hadoes, and make a careful and universal search
for them. They pursued the judges, with enga-
gedness, to Hartford ; and, repairing to governor
Winthrop, were nobly entertained. He assured
them, that the colonels made no stay in Connecti-
cut, but went directly to New-Haven. He gave
them a warrant and instructions similar to those
which they had received from the governor of
Massachusetts, and transacted every thing relative
to the affair with despatch. The next day they
arrived at Guilford, and opened their business to
deputy governor Leet. They acquainted him
that, according to the intelligence which they
had received, the regicides were then at New-
Haven. They desired immediately to be furnish-
ed with powers, horses, and assistance to arrest
them.
SUPPLEMENT. 341
But here they were very unwelcome messen-
gers. Governor Leet, and the principal gentle-
men in Guilford and New-Haven, had no ill opin-
ion of the judges. If they had done wrong in the
part they had acted, they viewed it as an error in
judgment, and as the fault of great and good
men, under peculiar and extraordinary circum-
stances. They were touched with compassion
and sympathy, and had real scruples of con-
science with respect to delivering up such men
to death. Tliey viewed them as the excellent in
the earth, and were afraid to betray them, lest
they should be instrumental in shedding innocent
blood. They saw no advantage in putting them
to death. They were not zealous therefore to
assist in apprehending them. Governor Leet
said, he had not seen them, in nine weeks, and
that he did not believe they were at New-Haven.
He read some of the papers relative to the affair
with an audible voice. The pursuivants observed
to him, that their business required more secrecy
than was consistent with such a reading of their
instructions. He delayed furnishing them with
horses until the next morning, and utterly declin-
ed giving them any powers, until he had con-
sulted with his council, at New-Haven. They
complained, that an Indian went off", from Guil-
ford to New-Haven, in the night, and that the
governor was so dilatory, the next morning, that
a messenger went on to New-Haven, before they
could obtain horses for their assistance. The
judges were apprised of every transaction re-
specting them, and they, and their friends, t ok
their measures accordingly. They changed their
quarters, from one place to another in the town^
as circumstances required ; and had faithfui
29*
342 SUPPLEMENT.
friends to give them information, and to conceal
them from their enemies.
On t[ie 13th of March, the pursuivants came to
New-Haven, and governor Leet arrived in town,,
soon after them, to consult his council. They
acquaintedliim, that, from tlie information which
they had received, they were persuaded, ti»at the
judges were yet in the town, and pressed him and
the magistrates to give them a warrant and assist-
ance, to arrest them, without any further delay.
But after the governor and his council had been
together five or six hours, they dispersed, without
doing any thing relative to the affair. The go-
vernor declared that they could not act without
calling a general assembly of the freemen. Kel-
lond and Kirk observed to him, that the other
governors had not stood upon such niceties ; that
the honor arwJ justice of his majesty were con-
cerned, and that he would highly resent the con-
cealment and abetting of such traitors and regi-
cides. They demanded whether he and his coun-
cil, would own and honor his majesty .? The
governor replied, we do honor his majesty, but
have tender consciences, and wish first to know
whether he will own us.*
The tradition is, that the pursuivants searched
Mr. Davenport's hou&e, and used him very ill.
They also searched other houses, where they sus-
pected that the regicides were concealed The
report is, that they went into the house of one
Mrs. Eyers, where they actually were ; but she
conducted the affair with suoh composure and
address, that they imagined that the judges had.
* Report of Kellond and Kirk to governor Endicott ; to
which they gave oath, in the preseoce of the governor and
kl« council.
SIJ«»PLEMENT. 343-
just made their escape from the house, and they
went off without making any search. It is said,
that once, when the pursuers passed the neck
bridge, the judges concealed themselves under
it. Several times they narrowly escaped, but
never could be tak(Mi.
These zealous royalists, not finding the judges
in New-Haven, prosecuted their journey to the
Dutch settlements, and made interest with Stuy-
vesant, the Dut^h governor, against them. He
promised them, that, if the judges should be found
withm his jurisdiction, he would give tiiem imme-
diate intelhgence, and that he would prohibit ail
ships and vessels from transporting them. Hav-
ing thus zealously prosecuted the business of
their commission, they returned to Boston, and
reported the reception which they had met with
^t Guilford and New-Haven.
Upoa this report, a letter was written by secre-
tary Rawson, in the name of the general court of
Massachusetts, to governor Leet and his councilj
on the subject. It represented, that many com-
plaints fiad been exhibited in Eugland against
the colonies, and that they were in great danger.
Xi was observed, that one great source of com-
plaint, was their giving such entertainment to
the regicides, and their inattention to his majes-
ty's warrant for arresting them. This was repre-
sented as an affair which hazarded tlie liberties
of all the colonies, and especially those of New-
Haven. It was intimated, that the safety of par-
ticular persons, no less than that of the colony,,
was in danger. It was insisted, that the only
way to expiate their offence, and save themselves
harmless, was, without delay, to apprehend the
delinquents. Indeed, the court urged, that not
anly their own safety and welfare, but the essei^
844 SUPPLEMENT.
tial interests of their neighbors, demanded their
indefatigable exertions to exculpate themselves.
Colonels Whalley and Goffe, after the search
which had been made for them, at New-Haven,
left Mr. Davenport's and took up their quarters at
Mr. William Jones', son-in-law to Governor Ea-
ton, and afterwards deputy governor of New Ha-
ven and Connecticut. There they secreted them-
selves until the 11th of May. Thence they re-
moved to a mill in the environs of the town. For
a short time, they made their quarters in the
woods, and then fixed them in a cave in the side
of a hill, which they named Providence Hill.
They had some other places of resort, to which
they retired as occasion made necessary, but this
was, generally, the place of their residence until
»the 1 9th of August. When the weather was bad
they lodged, at night, in a neighboring house. It
is not improbable, that sometimes, when it could
be done with safety, they made visits to their friends
at New-Haven.
Indeed, to prevent any damage to Mr. Daven-
port or the colony, they once, or more, came into
the town openly, and offered to deliver up them-
selves to save their friends. It seems it was iully
expected, at that time, that they would have done
it voluntarily. But their friends, neither desired,
nor advised them, by any means, to adopt so dan-
gerous a measure. They hoped to save them-
selves and the colony harmless, without such a
sacrifice. The magistrates were greatly blamed
for not apprehending them, at i\us time in parti-
cular. Secretary Rawson, in a letter of his to
Governor Leet, writes, " How ill t'»is will be taken
is not difficult to imagine; to be sure not well.
Nay, will not all men condem.-j you as wanting
to yourselves ?" The general court of Massacbu -
SUPPLEMENT. 345
setts, further acquainted Governor Leet, that the
colonies were criminated for making no applica-
tion to the king, since his restoration, and for not
proclaiming him as their king. The court, in their
letter, observed, that it was highly necessary, that
they should send an agent to answer for them at
the court of England.
Note Q.
About this time, it seems. Governor Winthrop
took his passage for England. Upon his arrival,
he made application to Lord Say and Seal, and
other friends of the colony, for their countenance
and assistance. Lord Say and Seal, appears to
have been the only nobleman living, who was
one of the original patentees of Connecticut.
He held the patent in trust originally, for the pu-
ritanic exiles. He received the address from the
colony most favorably, and gave Governor Win-
throp all the assistance in his power. The go-
vernor was a man of address, and he arrived in
England, at a happy time for Connecticut. Lord
Say and Seal, the great friend of the colony, had
been particularly instrumental in the restoration.
This had so brought him into the king's favor, that
he had been made lord privy seal. The Earl of
Manchester, another friend of the puritans, and of
the rights of the Colonies, was chamberlain of his
majesty's household. He was an intimate friend
of Lord Say and Seal, and had been united with
him in defending the colonies, and pleading for
their establishment and liberties. Lord Say and
Seal, engaged him to give Mr. Winthrop his ut-
most assistance. Mr. Winthrop had an extraor-
dinary ring, which had been given his grandfather
by King Charles the first, which he presented to
the king. This, it is said, exceedingiy pleased
34b SUPPLEMENT.
his majesty, as it had been once the property of a
father m\)st dear to him. Undev these circum-
stances, the petition of Connecticut was present-
ed, and was received with uncommon grace and
favor.
Upon the 20th of April, 1662, his majesty grant-
ed the colony his letters patent, conveying the
most ample privileges, under the great seal of
England. It confirmed unto it the whole tract of
country, granted by King Charles the first, unto
the Earl of Warwick, and which was, the next
year, by him consigned unto Lord Say and Seal,
Lord Brook and others. The patent granted the
lands in free and common socage. The faots, stated
and pleaded in the petition, were recognized in the
charter, nearly in the same form of words, as rea-
sons of the royal grant, and of the ample privi-
leges which it conveyed.
It ordained, that John Winthrop, John Mason,
Samuel Wyllys, Henry Clarke, Matthew Allen,
John Tapping, Nathan Gould, Richard Treat,
Richard Lord, Henry Wolcott, John Talcott,
Daniel Clarke, John Ogden, Thomas Welles,
Obadiah Bruen, John Clarke, Anthony Hawkins,
John Deming, and Matthew Cam field, and all
such others as then were, or should afterwards be
admitted and made free of the corporation, shoul^
forever after be one body corporate and politic,
in fact and name, by the name of the Goveror
AND Company of the English Colony of Con-
necticut, IN New-England in America; and that
by the same name, they and their successors should
have perpetual su -cession. They were capaci-
tated, as persons in law, to plead and be implead-
ed, to defend and be defended, in all suits what-
sovever. To purciiase, T>ossess, lease, grant, de-
mise, and sell lands, t^enements, and goods, in ^s
SUPPLEMENT* 34t
ample a manner, as any of his majesty's subjects
or corporations in England. The charter ordain-
ed, that there should be, annually, two general
assemblies ; one holden on the second Thursday
in May^ and the other on the second Thursday in
October. This was to consist of the governor,
deputy governor, and twelve assistants, with two
deputies from every town or city. John Winthrop
was appointed governor, and John Mason deputy
governor, and the gentlemen named above magis-*
trates, until a new election should be made.
Note R.
Before the session of the General Assembly of
Connecticut, in October, the charter was brought
over ; and as the governors and magistrates, ap-
pointed by his majesty, were not authorized to
serve after this time, a general election was ap-
pointed, on the 9th of October. John Winthrop,
Esq. was chosen governor, and John Mason, Esq.
deputy governor. The magistrates were Matthew
Allen, Samuel Wyllys, Nathan Gould, Richard
Treat, John Ogden, John Tapping, John Talcott,
Henry Wolcott, Daniel Clarke and John Allen,
Esquires, Mr. Baker and Mr. Sherman. John
Talcott, Esq. was treasurer, and Daniel Clark, Esq.
secretary.
Upon the day of the election, the charter was
publicly read to the freemen, and declared to be-
long to them and their successors. They then pro-
ceeded to make choice of Mr. Wyllys, Mr. Tal-
cott, and Mr. Allen to receive the charter into
their custody, and keep it in behalf of the colony.
It was ordered, that an oath should be adminis-
tered, by the court, to the freeman, binding them
to ;a faithful discharge of the trust committed te
them.
348 SUPPLEMENT.
The general assembly established all former
officers, civil and military, in their respective pla-
ces of trust ; and enacted, that all the laws of the
colony should be continued in full force, except
such as should be found contrary to the tenor of
the charter. It was also enacted, that the same
colony seal should be continued.
The major part of the inhabitants of Southhold,
several of the people at Guilford, and of the
towns of Stamford and Greenwich, tendering
their persons and estates to Connecticut, and
petitioning to enjoy the protection and privi-
leges of this conimonweahh, were accepted by
the a*ssembly, and promised the same protection
and freedom, which was common to the inhabit-
ants of the colony in general. At the same time,
it was enjoined upon them, to conduct themselves
peaceably, as became christians, towards their
neighbors, who did not submit to the jurisdiction
of Connecticut ; and that they should pay all taxes
due to the ministers, with all other public char-
ges then due. A message w^as sent to tlic Dutch
governor, certifying him of the charter, granted to
Connecticut, and desiring him, by no means, to
trouble any one of his majesty's subjects, within
its limits, with impositions, or prosecutions from
that jurisdiction.
The assembly gave notice to the inhabitants of
Winchester, that they were comprehended within
the limits of Connecticut ; and ordered, that, as
his majesty haJ thus disposed of them, they should
conduct themselves as peaceable subjects.
The assembly resolved, that th(^ inhabitants of
Mystic and Pawcatuck should no more exercise
any authority, by virtue of commissions from any
oth?r colony but should elect their town officers,
and manage all their affairs, according to the laws
StTPPLEMENT. 349
<of Connecticut. It was also resolved, that this,
mid some other towns, should pay twenty pounds
each, towards defraying the expense of procuring
the charter.
Huntington, Setauket, Oyster Bay, and all the
towns upon Long Island, were obliged to submit
to the authority, and govern themselves agreeably
to the laws of Connecticut. A court was insti-
tuted at Southhold, consisting of Capt. James
Youngs, and the justices of South and East Hamp-
ton. The assembly resolved that all the towns
which should be received under their jurisdiction,
should bear their equal proportion of the charge
of the colony, in procuring the patent.
As the charter included the colony of New-Ha-
ven, Mr. Matthew Allen, Mr Samuel Wyllys, and
the Rev. Messrs. Stone and Hooker, were appoint-
ed a committee, to proceed to New-Haven, and
treat with their friends there, respecting an ami-
cable union of the two colonies.
The committee proceeded to New-Haven, and
after a conference with the governor, magistrates
and principal gentlemen in the colony, left the fol-
lowing declaration to be communicated to the
freemen.
" We declare, that through the providence of
the Most High, a large and ample patent, and
therein desirable privileges and immunities, from
his majusty, being come to our hand, a copy
whereof we have left with you to be considered,
and yourselves, upon the sea-coast, being inclu-
ded and interested therein, the king having uni-
ted us in one body politic, we, according to the
commission wherewith we are intrusted, by the
General Assembly of Connecticut, do declare, in
their name, that it is both their and our earnes*
desire, that there may be a happy and comfortable
30
^50 SUPPLEMENT.
tinioTi between yourselves and us, according to
the tenor of the charter; that inconveniences
and dangers may be prevented, peace and truth
strengthened and established, through our suita-
ble subjection to the terms of the patent, and
the blessing of God upon us therein."
The authority of New-Haven made the follow*
ing reply.
*' We have received and perused your writings,
and heard the copy read of his majesty's letters
patent to Connecticut colony ; wherein, though
we do not find the colony of New-Haven express-
ly included, yet to show our desire that matters
may be issued in the conserving of peace and
a.mity, with righteousness between them and us,
we shall communicate your writings, and a copy
of the patent, to our freemen, and afterwards,
with convenient speed, return their answer. Only
we desire, that the issuing of matters may be re-
spited until we may receive fuller information
from Mr. Winthrop, or satisfaction otherwise ;
and that in the meantime, this colony may remain
distinct, entire, and uninterrupted as heretofore:
which we hope you will see cause' lovingly to
consent unto; and signify the same to us, with
convenient speed."
On the 4th of November, the freemen of the co-
lony of New-Haven, convened in general court.
The governor communicated the writings to the
court, and ordered a copy of the patent to be
read. After a short adjournment, for considera-
tion in an affair of so much importance, the free-
men met again, and proceeded to a large discus-
sion of the subject.
The Rev. Mr. Davenport was entirely opposed
to an union with Connecticut. He proceeded,
therefore, to offer a number of reasons, why the
SUPPLEMENT. 351
inhabitants of New-Haven could not be included
in the patent of that colony, and for which they
ought by no means, voluntarily to form an union.
He left his reasons in writing, for the considera-
tion of the freemen. He observed that he should
leave others to act according to the light which
they should receive.
It was insisted, that New-Haven had been own-
ed as a distinct government, not only by her sis-
ter colonies, by the parliament, and the protectorj
during their administration ; but by his majesty,
king Charles the second : That it was against the
express articles of confederation, by which Con-
necticut was no less bound, than the other colo-
nies : That New-Haven had never been certified
of any such design, as their incorporation with
Connecticut ; and that they had never been heard
on the subject. It was further urged, that,^ had
it been designed to unite them with Connecticut,
some of their names, at least, would have been
put into the patent, with the other patentees;
but none of them were there. Hence it was
maintained, that it never could have been the.
design of his majesty, to comprehend them with-
in the limits of the charter. It was argued, that
for them to consent to an union would be incon-
sistent with their oath, to maintain that common^
wealth, with all its privileges, civil and religious.
Indeed, it was urged, that it would be incom-
patible both with their honor and most essential
interests.
Governor Leet excused himself from speaking^
on the subject, desiring rather to hear the freemea
speak their minds freely, and to act themselves,
with respect to the union.
After the aftair had been fully debated, the free-
352 SUPPLEMENT.
men resolved, that an answer to Connecticut
should be drawn up under the following heads.
1. "Bearing a proper testimony against the
great sin of Connecticut, in acting so contrary to
righteousness, amity, and peace."
2. " Desiring that all further proceedings, re-
lative to the affair, might be suspended, until
Mr. Winthrop should return, or they might
otherwise obtain further information and satis-
faction."
3. "To represent, that they could do nothing
in the affair, until they had consulted the other
confederates."
The freemen appointed all their magistrates
and elders, with Mr. Law, of Stamford, a com-
mittee to draw up an answer to the General As-
sembly of Connecticut. They were directed to
subjoin the weighty arguments, which they had
against an union. If these should not avail, they
were directed to prepare an address to his majes-
ty, praying for relief.
The committee drew up a long letter, in which
they declared that they did not find any com-
mand in the patent, to dissolve covenants, and
alter the orderly settlement of New-England;
nor a prohibition against their continuance as a
distinct government. They represented, that the
conduct of Connecticut, in acting at first without
them, confirmed them in those sentiments ; and
that the way was still open for them to petition
his majesty, and obtain immunities similar to
those of Connecticut. They declared, that they
must enter their appeal from the construction
which Connecticut put upon the patent; and de-
sired that they might not be interrupted, in the
enjoyment of their distinct privileges. They so-
licited, that proceedings relative to an union
S0PPLEMBNT, o5J
might rest until they might obtain further infor-
mation, consult their confederates, and know his
majesty's pleasure concerning them.
The committee then proceeded to represent
the unreasonable and injurious conduct of Con-
necticut towards them, in beginning to exercise
jurisdiction, within their limits, before they had
given them any intimations, tfiat they were in-
cluded in their charter; before (hey had invited
them to an amicable union ; and before they had
any representation in their assembly, or name in
their patent. They urged, that, in such a pro-
cedure, they had encouraged division, and given
countenance to disaffected persons: That they
had abetted them in slighting solemn covenants
and oaths, by which the peace of the towns and
churches, in that colony, was greatly disturbed.
Further, they insisted, that, by this means, his
majesty's pious designs were counteracted, and
his interests disserved : That great scandal was
brought upon religion before the natives, and the
beauty of a peaceable, faithful and brotherly
walking exceedingly marred among themselves.
The committee also represented, that these trans-
actions were entirely inconsistent with the en-
gagement of governor Winthrop, contrary to his
advice to Connecticut, and tended to bring inju-
rious reflections and reproach upon him. They
earnestly prayed for a copy of all which he had
written to the deputy governor and company on
the subject. On the whole, they professed them-
selves exceedingly injured and grieved ; and en-
treated the general assembly of Connecticut to
adopt speedy and effectual measures to repair the
breaches which they had made, and to restore
them to their former state, as a confederate and
sister colony.
t]0*
354 SUPPLEMENT.
Connecticut made no reply to this letter ; but
at a general assembly, holden March lith, 1663,
appointed the deputy governor, Messrs, Matthew
and John Allen, and Mr. John Talcott, a com-
mittee to treat with their friends at New-Haven,
on the subject of an union. But the hasty mea-
sures which the general assembly had taken, in
admitting the disaffected members of the several
towns, under the jurisdiction of New-Haven, to
their protection, and to the privileges of freemen
of their corporation, and in that way beginning ta
dismember that colony, before they had invited
them to incorporate with them, had so sonred
their minds and prejudiced them, that this com-
mittee had no better success than the former.
In consequence of the claims of Connecticut,
and of what had passed between the two colo-
nies, governor Leet called a special assembly at
New-Haven, on the 6th of May. It was then
proposed to the court, whether, considering the
present state of the colony, and the afi'airs de-
pending between them and Connecticut, any al-
teration should be made, with respect to the
time or manner of their election? The freemen
resolved, that no alteration should be made.
They then determined upon a remonstrance or
declaration, to be sent to the general assembly of
Connecticut. In this way they gave a historical
account of the ends of their coming, with their
brethren in the united colonies, into New-Eng-
land, and of the solemn manner in which these
colonies had confederated ; and insinuated, that
the conduct of Connecticut towards them, was.
directly contrary to the designs of the first plant-
ers in New-England, and to that express article
of the confederation, that no one colony should
•be anuexed to anotheyy without the consent of the
SUPPLEMENT. 355
other colonies. They declared, that if, through
the coiitrivance of Connecticut, without their
knowledge or consent, the patent did circum-
scribe that colony, it was, in their opinion, con-
trary to brotherly love, righteousness, and peace.
They also declared, that, notwithstanding the
sense which Connecticut put upon their patent,
they could not find one line or letter in it, ex-
pressing his majesty's pleasure, that they should
become one with that colony. The court affirm-
ed, that they were necessitated to bear testimony
against the appointment of constables and other
officers, in the towns under their jurisdiction, and
the dismembering of their colony by receiving
their disaffected people under the protection of a
legislature distinct from theirs, and in which they
had no representation. They remonstrated against
this, as distracting the colony, destroying the
comforts, and hazarding the lives and liberties of
their confederates ; as giving great offence to
their consciences, and as matter of high provoca-
tion and complaint before God and man. All
this unbrotherly and unrighteous management,
they represented as exceedingly aggravated, in
that, notwithstanding tlieir former representations
and mtreaties, in writing, notwithstanding their
appeal to his majesty, and notwithstanding all
their past distress and sufferings, they were still
pursuing the same course. They still declared,
that they appealed to his majesty : and that, ex-
ceedingly grieved and afflicted, they, in the sight
of God, angels, and men, testified against such
proceedings.
While these affairs were transacted in the colo-
nies, the petition and address of New Haven, to
his majesty, arrived in England. Upon which
governor Winthrop, who was yet there, by the^
356 siCPPLEMENT.
advice of the friends of both colonies, agreed that
no injury should be done to New-Haven, and that
the union and incorporation of the two colonies
should be voluntary. Therefore, on the 3d of
March, 1663, he wrote to the deputy governor
and company of Connecticut, certifying them of
his engagements to the agent of New-Haven;
and that, before he took out the charter, he had
given assurance to their friends, that their inte-
rests and privileges should not be injured by the
patent. He represented, that they were bound
by the assurances he had given : and, therefore,
wished them to abstain from all further injury
and trouble of that colony. He imputed what
they had done to their ignorance of the engage-
ments which he had made. At the same time,
he intimated his assurance, that, on his return, he
should be able to affect an amicable union of the
colonies.
At the election in Connecticut, Mr. Howell and
Mr. Jasper Crane, were chosen magistrates, in-
stead of Mr. John Allen and Mr. John Ogden.
Mr. John Allen was appointed treasurer.
Connecticut now laid claim to West Chester,
and sent one of their magistrates to lead the in-
habitants to the choice of their officers, and to
administer the proper oaths to such as they should
elect. The colony also extended their claim to
the Narraganset country, and appointed officers
for the government of the inhabitants at Wick-
ford.
Notwithstanding the remonstrance of the court
at New-Haven, their appeal to king Charles the
second, and the engagements of governor Win •
throp, Connecticut pursued the affair of an union
in the same manner in which it was begun. At a
session of the general assembly, August iOth,
SUPPLEMENT. - 357
'1663, the deputy governor, Mr. Wyllys, Mr.
Daniel Clarke, and Mr. John Allen, were appoint-
ed a committee to treat with their friends at New-
Haven, Milford, Guilford, and Branford, relative
to their incorporation with Connecticut. Pro-
vided they could not affect an union, by treaty,
they were authorised to read the charter publicly
at New-Haven, and to make declaration to the
people there, that the assembly could not but re-
sent their proceeding, as a distinct jurisdiction,
since they were evidently included within the
limits of the charter, granted to the corporation
of Connecticut. They were instructed to pro-
claim that the assembly did desire, and could
not but expect, that the inhabitants of New-Ha-
ven, Milford, Guilford, Branford, and Stamford,
would yield subjection to the government of Con-
necticut
At the meeting of the commissioners, in Sep-
tember, New-Haven was owned by the colonies,
as a distinct confederate. Governor Leet and
Mr. Fenn, who had been sent from that jurisdic-
tion, exhibited a complaint against Connecticut,
of the injuries which they had done, by encroach-
ing upon their rights, receiving their members
under their government, and encouraging them to
disown their authority, to disregard their oath of
allegiance, and to refuse all attendance on their
courts. They further complained, that Connecti-
cut had appointed constables in several of their
towns, to the great disquiet and injury of the
colony. They prayed, that eflectual measures
might be taken to redress their grievances to pre-
vent further injuries, and secure their rights as a
distinct confederate.
Governor Winthrop and Mr. John Talcott,
commissioners from Connecticut replied, that, in
iheir opinion, New-Haven had no just grounds of
358 SUPPLEMENT.
complaint ; that Connecticut had never desig^ned
them any injury, but had made to them th^; most
friendly propositions, inviting them to share with
them freely in all the important and distinguish-
ino; privileges, which they had obtained for them-
selves ; that they had sent committees amicably
to treat with them ; that they were still treatmg,
and would attend all just and friendly means of
accommodation.
The commissioners of the other colonies, hav-
ing fully heard the parties, determined, that as
the colony of New-Haven had been " owned, in
the articles of confederation, as distinct from
Connecticut, and having been so owned, by the
colonies jointly in the present meeting, in all
their actings, they may not, by any acts of vio-
lence, have their liberty of jurisdiction infringed,
by any other of the united colonies, without
breach of the articles of confederal ion ; and tiiat
where any act of power hath been exerted against
their authority, that the same oii/^ht to be re(!all-
ed, and their power reserved to them entire, until
such time, as, in an orderly way, it shall be oth-
erwise disposed." With respect to the particu-
lar grievances, mentioned by the commissioners
of rTew-Haven, the consideration of them was re-
ferred to the next meeting of tiio commissioners
at Hartford.
Note S.
In this situation of affairs, an event took place,
which alarmed all the New-England colonies, and
at once changed the opinion of the commission-
ers, and of New-Haven, with respect to their in-
corporation with Connecticut.
King Charles the second, on the I2th of March
1664, gave a patent to his brother, the Duke of
York, and Albany, of several extensive tracts of
SUPPLElrfENT. 359
land, in North America, the boundaries of which
are thu?? described.
« All that part of the main land of New-Eng-
land, begmning at a certain place, calird and
known by the name of St. Croix next adjoining to
New-England in America, and from thence ex-
1. T?. ^^"^"^ ^^^ ®^^ ^^^^* ""^o ^ certain place
cailed Pemaquie or Pemaquid, and so up the river
thereof to the furthest head of the same, as it
tendeth northward; and from thence extending
to the nver Kembequin, and so upwards by the
shortest course to the river Canada northward t
and also all that island or islands commonaly
called by the general name or names of Meitowax,
or Long-Island, situate and being toward the
west of Cape Cod, and the narrow Highgansets,
abuttmg upon the main land between the two
rivers there called or known by the several names
ot Connecticut and Hudson's river, and all the
land from the west side of Connecticut river to
the east side of Delaware bay, and also all those
several islands called or known by the nameg
of Martin's- Vineyard or Nantucks, otherwise Nan-
tucket: together," &,c.
The concern of the Duke of York for his pro-
perty, the aversion both of his majesty and the
duke to the Dutch, with the differences between
them and the New-England colonies, made an ex-
pedition against the New-Netherlands a prime
object of their attention. Though his majesty
King Charles II. was an indolent prince, devoted
to dissipation and pleasure, yet, under the in-
fluence of these motives, an armament wa'; j^oon
prepared, and a fleet dispatched to New-Enohuid,
for the reduction of the Dutch settlements on the
continent. Colonel Richard Nichols was chief
commander of the fleet and army. Colonel Ni-
^60 SUPPLEMENT.
chols had not only a commission, for the reduction
of the Dutch plantations, and the government of
them, but he, with George Cartvvrith, Esq. Sir
Robert Carr, and Samuel Maverick Esq. were ap-
pointed commissioners, by his majesty, and vested
with extraordinary powers, for visiting the New-
England colonies ; hearing and determining all
matters of complaint and controversy between
them, and settling the country in peace.
Colonel Nichols arrived at Boston, with the
fleet and troops under his command, on the 23d
of July 1664. He immediately comn)unicated his
commission to the colonies, and his Majesty's re-
quisitions to assist in the expedition against the
Dutch. He then sailed for the New-Netherlands,
and on the 20th of August, made a demand of
the town and forts upon the island of Manhadoes,
He had previously sent letters to Governor Win-
throp, to join him, at the west end of Long-Island.
Governor Winthrop with several of the magis-
trates and principal gentlemen of Connecticut,
joined him, according to his wishes.
Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor, was an old
soldier, and had he been better prepared, and the
people united, doubtles would have made a brave
defence. But he had no intimations of the de-
sign, until the 8th of July, when he received in-
telligence, that a fleet of three or four ships of
war, with three hundred and fifty soldiers on board,
were about to sail from England, against the
Dutch settlements. Upon this, he immediately
ordered, that the forts should be put into a state
of defence, and sent out spies into several parts
of Connecticut, with a view of obtaining further
information. Indeed the tradition has been that
the Dutch governor apprehending the danger, in
which all the Dutch plantations would immediate-
StJPPLEMEN'l'. 361
ly be, on the arrival of the fleet, should the colo-
nies unite against them, came to Hartford to ne-
gotiate a neutrality with Connecticut ; and that
he was there when he received the news of the
arrival of the fleet at Boston. The story has been
that he made his departure in the night, and re-
turned with the utmost expedition.
He was extremely opposed to a surrender of the
fort and town. Instead of submitting to the sum-
mons at first sent him, he drew^ up a long state-
ment of the Dutch claims, and their indubitable
right to the country. He insisted that, had the
king of England known the justice of their claims,
he never would have adopted such measures
against them. He concluded, by assuring Col.
Nichols, that he should not submit to his de-
mands, nor fear any fvUs, but such as God in his
providence, shf;uld inflict upon hirn.
Colonel Nichols, in his first summons, had, in
his majesty's name, given assurance, that the
Dutch, upon their submission, should be safe, as
to life, liberty, and ])roperty. Governor Win-
throp also wrote a letter to the governor and
council, advising them to surrender. But they
were careful to secrete the writings from the peo-
ple, lest the easy terms proposed should induce
them to surrender. The burgo masters and peo-
ple desired to know of the governor, what was the
import of the writings he had received, and es-
pecially of the letter from governor Wmthrop.
The Dutch governor and his council giving them
no intelligence, they solicited it the more earnest-
ly. The governor, irritated at this, in a paroxysm
of anger, tore the letter in pieces. Upon winch
the people protested against his conduct, and all
its consequences.
Wiiile the governor and his council were thus
31
3l52 SUPPLEMENT.
contending with the burgo-masters and people,
in the town, the English commissioners caused a
proclamation to be published, in the country, en-
couraging the inhabitants to submit to his majes-
ty's government. This promised to all the inha-
bitants, who would become subject to his majesty,
<' That they should be protected by his majesty's
laws and justice, and enjoy whatever God's bless-
ing, and their honest industry, had furnished them
with, and all the other privileges with his majes-
ty's English subjects."
The colonel, finding that the Dutch Governor
was determined, if possible, to keep his station,
sent officers to Jamaica, Hempsted, and other
towns, upon the island, to beat up for volunteers.
Captain Hugh Hide, who commanded the ships,
had orders to proceed to the reduction of the fort.
Troops were raised in New-England, and ready
to march upon the first notice. Two thirds of
the inhabitants upon Long-Island were English
subjects, and wished for the success of his majes-
ty's arms. They were ready, if necessary, to af-
ford their immediate assistance. In such circum-
stances, opposition would have been madness.
The Dutch therefore, on the 27th of August, sub-
mitted on terms of capitulation. The articles se-
cured them in the enjoyment of liberty of con-
science in divine worship, and their own mode of
discipline. The Dutch governor and people be-
came English subjects, enjoyed their estates, and
all the privileges of Englishmen. Upon the sur-
render of the town of New-Amsterdam, it was
named New-York, in honor of the duke of York.
Part of the armament immediately sailed up the
iiver, under the command of Carteret, to fort
Orange, or Aurania. This surrendered on the
i4th September. This was named Albany, in
SUPPLEMENT. 36S
honor of the duke of York and Albany. Sir Ro-
bert Carr proceeded with another division of the
fleet to Delaware. He obliged the Dutch and
Swedes to capitulate, and deliver up their re-
spective garrisons, on the 1st of October. Upon
this day, the whole of New-Netherlands became
^subject to the crown of England. The Dutch,
who before had given so much trouble to the
English colonists, from this time commenced their
loyal and peaceable fellow subjects.
The short time the commissioners tarried ai
Boston, before they proceeded upon their expe-
dition against the Dutch, was sufficient to dis-
cover something of their extraordinary powers,
and such a taste of the high and arbitrary man-
ner in which they had conducted, as spread a
general alarm, and awakened, in the colonies^
serious apprehensions for their liberties. Mr.
Wiiiting, who was at Boston, and learned much
of their temper, was sent back, in haste, to give
information of the dasjger, in whicii, it was ap-
prehended, the colonies were ; to advise New-
Haven to incorporate with Connecticut, without
delay; and to make a joint exertion for the pre-
servation of their chartered rights. This was
pressed, not only as absolutely necessary for
New-Haven, but for the general safety of the
country.
In consequence of this intelligence a general
court was convened at New-Haven, on the 11th
of August, 1664. Governor Leet communicated
the intelligence which he had received from their
friends at Boston. He acquainted them that Mr.
Whiting and Mr. Bull had made a visit to New-
Haven, and in their own names, and in behalf of
the magistrates of Connecticut, pressed their im-
mediate subjection to their government. Fur-
364 SUPPLEMENT.
ther, the court was certified, that after some trea-
ty with those gentlemen, their committee hacT
given an answer, purporting, that, if Connecticut
would, in his majesty's name, assert their claim to
the colony of New-Haven, and secure them in the
full enjoyment of all the immunities, which they
had proposed, and engage to make a united ex-
ertion for the preservation of their chartered
rights, they would make their submission. After
a long d(ibate the court resolved, that, if Con-
necticut should come and assert their claim, as
had been agreed, they would submit until the
meeting of the commissioners of the united colo-
nies. The magistrates and principal gentlemen
of the colony, seem to have been sensible, not
only of the expediency, but of the necessity of an
incorporation with Connecticut. The opposition,
however, was so general among the people, that
nothing further could be effected.
The court of commissioners was so hear at
hand, that governor Winthrop and his council
judged it not expedient to make any further de-
mands upon New-Haven, until their 4idvice could
be known. However, when the general assem-
bly met, early in September, they passed a re-
monstrance against the sitting of governor Leet
and deputy governor Jones with the commission-
ers. In the remonstrance they declared, that
New-Haven was not a colony, but a part of Con-
necticut, and avowed their claim to it as such.
They insisted, that owning that as a colony, dis-
tinct from Connecticut, after his majesty had, by
his letters patent, incorporated it with that colo-
ny, was inconsistent with the king's pleasure ;
would endanger the rights of all the colonies,
and especially the charter-rights of Connecticut^
The assembly, at the same time, declared, that
SUPPLEMENT. 365
they would have a tender regard to their honored
friends and brethren, at New-Haven, and exert
themselves to accommodate them, with all the im-
munities and privileges which they conveyed by
their charter.
On the 1st of September, the court of commis-
sioners met at Hartford. The commissioners from
New-Haven were allowed their seats with the
other confederates. The case of New-Haven
and Connecticut was fully heard, and though the
court did not approve of the manner, in which
Connecticut had proceeded, yet they earnestly
pressed a speedy and amicable union of the two
colonies. They represented, that the divine hon-
or, and the welfare of all the colonies, as well as
their own, were greatly concerned in the event.
To remove all obstructions on their part, the
commissioners recommended it to the general
courts of Massachusetts and Plymouth, that in
case the colony of New-Haven should incorpo-
rate with Coimecticut, they might then be owned
as one colony, and send two commissioners to
each meeting; and that the determinations of any
four of the six, should be equally binding on the
confederates, as the conclusions of six out of eight,
had been before. It was also proposed to the
court, that the meeting, which of course had been
at New-Haven, should be at Hertford.
In compliance with the advice of the commis-
sioners, governor Leet convened the general
court at New-Haven, on the 14th of September,
and communicated the advice which had been
given, and papers from the committee of Con-
necticut, advising and urging them to unite.
They referred it to their most serious considera-
tion, whether, if the king's commissioners should
visit them, they would not be much better able to
31*
366 SUPPLEMEN'T.
vindicate their liberty and just rights, in union
with Connecticut, under a royal patent, than in
their then present circumstances. Many insisted
notwithstanding, " That to stand as God had
kept them to that time was their best way."
Others were entirely of the contrary opinion, and
after the fullest discussion of the subject, no vote
for union or treaty could be obtained.
New-Haven and Bran ford were more fixed and.
obstinate in their opposition to an incorporation
with Connecticut, than any of the other towns in
that colony. Mr. Davenport and Mr. Pierson
seem to have been among its chief supporters.
They, with many of the inhabitants of the colony,
were more rigid, with respect to the terms of
church communion, than the ministers and
churches of Connecticut generally were. The
ministers and churches of Connecticut were, a
considerable number of them, in favor of the pro-
positions of the general council, which met at
Cambridge, in 1962, relative to the baptism of
children, wliose parents were not in full com-
munion. The ministers and churches of New-
Haven were universally and utterly against them»
Mr. Davenport, and others in this colony, were
also strong in the opinion, that all government
should be in the church. No person in this colo-
ny could be a freeman, unless he were a member
in full communion. But in Connecticut, all or-
derly persons, possessing a freehold to a certain
amount, might be made free of the corporation.
Those gentlemen, who were so strong in the op-
position, were, doubtless, jealous that an union,
would mar the purity, order, and beauty of their
churches, and have an ill influence on the civit
administrations. The removal of the seat of
governmen* : the ??nprehensiop which, sooae had
SLPPLEMENT. 36T
©f losing their places of trust and general influ-
ence ; with strong prejudices and passions against
Connecticut, on account of the injuries, which it
was conceived it had done the colony, all ope-
rated in forming the opposition. Besides, it was
a painful reflection, that, after they had been at
so much pains and expense to form and support
themselves as a distinct commonwealth, and had
been many years owned as one, their existence
must cease and their name be obliterated.
This event, however, was hastening, and grew
more and more urgent. Milford, at this t:me,
broke ofl" from them, and would no more send
either magistrate or deputies to the general court.
Mr. Richard Law, a principal gentleman at Stam-
ford, also deserted them.
In this state of aftairs, the general assembly of'
Connecticut convened, on the I3th of October^.
This was an important crisis with the colony. In.
few instances, have so many important objects of
consideration, at one time, presented themselves
to a legislature. Their liberties were not only in
equal danger with those of their sister colonies,
from the extraordinary powers, and arbitrary dis-
positions and measures of the kin4i's commission-
ers, but the duke of York, a powerful antagonist,,
hud received a patent, covering Long Island and^
all that part of the colony west of Connecticut
river. The Massachusetts were encroaching up-
on them on their eastern and northern bounda--
ries. William and Anne, the duke and dutchess
of Hamilton, had petitioned his riiajesty to restore
to them the tract of country grained to their fa-
ther, James, marquis of Hamilton, in the year
1635 ; and his majesty had, on the 6th of May,
16G4j referred the case to the iietermination oC
colonel Nichols, mid thQ other commissionexs
368 SUPPLEMENT.
Besides, tlie state of affairs with New-Haven was
neither comfortable nor safe.
In these circumstances, the legislature viewed
it as a point of capital importance to conciliate the
commissioners, and obtain the good graces of his
majesty. For this purpose, they ordered a pre-
sent of five hundred bushels of corn, to be made
to the king's commissioners. A large committee
was appointed to settle the boundaries between
Connecticut and the duke of York. A commit-
tee, consisting of Mr. Allen, Mr. Wyllys, Mr. Tal-
cott, and Mr. Newburry, was also appointed to
settle the boundary line between this colony and
Massachusetts, and between Connecticut and
Rhode-Island. They were instructed not to give
away any part of the lands, included within the
limits of the charter.
Mr. Sherman, Mr. Allen, and the secretary,
were authorised to proceed to New-Haven, and,
by order of the general assembly, " in his majes-
ty's name, to require the inhabitants of New-Ha-
ven, Milford, Branford, Guilford, and Stamford, to
submit to the government established by his ma-
jesty's gracious grant to this colony, and to re-
ceive their answer." They had instructions to
declare all the freemen, in those towns, free of
the corporation of Connecticut ; and to make all
others, in the respective towns mentioned, quali-
fied according to law, freemen of Connecticut.
At the same time, they were directed to adminis-
ter to them the freemen's oath.
Besides, they were authorised to make dclara-
tion, that the assembly did invest William Leet
and William Jones, Esquires, Mr. Gilbert, Mr.
Fenn, Mr. Crane, Mr. Treat, and Mr. Law, with
the powers of Magifvtracy; to govern their re-
spective plantations agreeably to the laws of
SUPPLEMENT. 3^9
Connecticut, or such of their own laws, as were
not inconsistent with the charter, until their ses-
sion Ml May next. It was proclaimed also, that
all other officers, civil and military, were estab-
iished in their respective places; and that cogni-
zance should not be taken of any case which had
been prosecuted, to a final adjudication, in any of
the courts of that colony.
^u'^l^n ,^''"i'''"'^" appointed to this service, on
the 19th of November, went to New-Haven, and
proceeded according to their instructions.
About the same time. Governor Winthrop, Mr
Allen, Mr. Gould, Mr. Richards, and John Win^
throp the committee appointed to settle the
boundaries between Connecticut and New-^York
waited upon the commissioners on York-Island'
After they had been fully heard, in behalf of Con^
necticut, the commissioners determined^ " That
the southern bounds of his majesty's colony of
Connecticut is the sea; and that Long-Island is
to be under the government of his royal highness
the duke of York, as is expressed by plain words
in the said patents respectively. We also order
and declare, that the creek or river called Mama-
ronock, which is reputed to be about twelve miles
to the east of West-Chester, and a line drawn
from the east point or side, where the fresh water
falls into the salt, at hjgh water mark, north-
north-west, to the line of Massachusetts, be the
western bounds of the said colony of Connecticut ;
and the plantations lying westward of that creek'
and line so drawn, to be under his royal high-
ness'government ; and all plantations lying east-
ward of that creek and line, to be under the go-
vernment of Connecticut.
In consequence of the acts of Connecticut,
and the determination of the commissioners, rel^-.
370 SUPPLEMENT.
tivo to the boundaries of the colony, a general
court was caiiecl at New-Haven, with the freemen,
and as many of the inhabitants of the colony as
chose to attend, on the 13th of December, 1664.
The following resolutions were then unanimously
passed.
1. "That, by this act or vote, we be not under-
stood to justify Connecticut's former actings, nor
any thing disorderly done by their own people, on
such accounts."
2. "That by it, we be not apprehended to
have any hand in breaking or dissolving the con-
federation."
3. "Yet, in loyalty to the king's majesty, when
an auil.entic copy of the determination of his
majesty's commiSKioners is published, to be re-
corded with us, if thereby it shall appear to our
committee, that we are, by his majesty's authori-
ty, now put under Connect.cut patent, we shall
submit, by a necess-ty brought upon us, by the
means of Connecticut aforesaid ; but with a solvo
jure of our former riglits and claims, as a people,
who have not yet been heard in point of plea."
NoT^: T.
While the churches wore thus divided, they
were alarmed by tiie appeara!ice of the Quakers.
A number of them arrived at Boston, in July and
August, and had been committed to the common
goal. A great number of their books hpd been
seized with a view to born them. In consequence
of their arrival, and the disturbance they had
made at Boston, thn commissuMiers of the uriited
colonies, at their court in September, recommend-
ed it to the several general courts, "That all
Qaak-rs, Ranters, and other notorious !ieretics,
should be prohibited coming into the united co-
SUPPLEMENT'. 37 1
lonies ; and that, if any should come, or arise
amongst them, they should be forthwith secured,
and reraoved out of all the jurisdictions,"
In conformity to this recommendation, the ge-
neral court of Connecticut, in October, passed
the following act. " That no town within this ju-
risdiction, shall entertain any Quakers, Ranters,
Adamites, or such like notorious heretics, nor suf-
fer them to continue in them above the space of
fourteen days, upon the penalty of iive pounds
per week, for any town entertaining any such
person : But the townsmen shall give notice to
the two next magistrates, or assistants, who shall
have power to send them to prison, for securing
them, until they can conveniently be sent out of
the jurisdiction It is also ordered, that no master
of a vessel shall land any such heretics ; but if they
do, they shall be compelled to transport them again
out of the colony, by any two magistrates or as-
sistants, at their first setting sail from the port
where they landed them ; during which time, the
assistant or magistrate shall see them secured,
upon penalty of twenty pounds for any master of
any vessel, that shall not transport them as afore-
said."
>N0TE U.
Mr. Dudley, while president of the commis-
sioners, had written to the governor and company,
advising them to resign the charter into the hands
of his majesty, and promising to use his influence
in favor of the colony. Mr. Dudley's commis-
sion was superseded by a commission to Sir Ed-
mund Andros, to be governor of New-England.
H- arrived at Boston, on the ]9th of December,
1630. The next day, his commission was pub-
lished, and he took on him the administration of
372 SUPPLEMENT*
government. Soon after his arrival, he wrote to
the governor and company, that he had a com-
mission, from his majesty, to receive their charter,
if they would resign it ; and he pressed them, in
obedience to the king, and as they would give
him an opportunity to serve them, to resign it to
hLs pleasure. At this session of the assembly,
the governor received another letter from
hiin, acquainting him, that he was assured,
by the advice which he had received from Eng-
land, that judgment was, by that time, entered
upon the quo warranto against their charter, and
that lie soon expected to receive his majesty's
commands respecting them. He urged them, as
he represented it, that he might not be wanting
in serving their welfare, to accept his majesty's
favor so graciously oiiered them, in a present
compliance and surrender. Colonel Dungan
also ur^ed his influence to persuade them to re-
sign, and put themselves under his government.
But the colony insisted on their charter rights,
and on the promise of King James, as well as of
his royal brother, to defend and secure them in
the enjoyment of their privileges and estates ;
and would not surrender their charter to either.
However, in their petition to the king, in which
they prayed for the continuance of their chartered
rights, they desired, if this could not be obtained,
but it should be resolved to put them under an-
other government, that it might be under Sir
Edmund's, as the Massachusetts had been their
former correspondents and confederates, and as
they were acquainted with their principles and
manners. This was construed into a resignation,
though nothing could be furiiier from the design
of the colony.
The assembly met as usual, in October, and the
S¥PPLEMENt. S7S
government continued according to charter, un-
til the last of the month. About this time, Hir
Edmund, with his suit, and more than sixty regu-
lar troops, came to Hartford, when the assembly
were sitting, demanded the charter, and declared
the government under It to be dissolved. The
assembly were extremely reluctant and slow,
with respect to any resolve to surrender the char-
ter, or with respect to any motion to bring it forth.
The tradition is, that Governor Treat represented
tho great expense and hardships of the colonists,
in planting the country, the blood and treasure
which they had expended in defending it, both
against the savages and foreigners ; to what
hardships and dangers he himself had been ex-
posed for that purpose; and that it was like giv-
ing up his life, now to surrender the patent and
privileges, so dearly bought and so long enjoyed.
The important affair was debated and kept in sus-
pense until the evening, when tlse charter was
brought and laid upon the table, where the as-
sembly were sitting. By tins time, great num-
bers of people were assembled, and njen suffi-
ciently bold to enterprise whatever might be ne-
cessary or expedient. The lights were instantly
extinguished, and oneCupt. Wadsworthj of Hart-
ford, in the most silent and secret manner, carri-
ed off the charter, and secreted it in a large 'fol-
low tree, fronting the house of the Hon. Samuel
Wyllys, then one of the magistrates of the colony.
The people appeared all peaceable and orderly.
The candles were officiously relighted, but the
patent was gone, and no discovery could be made
of it, or of the person, who had conveyed it away.
Sir Edmund assumed tlie government, and the
record.-: of the colony were closed in the follow-
ing words.
S2
374 SUPPLEMENT.
" At a general court at Hartford; October 31st,
1687, His Excellency Sir Edmund Andros, knight,
and captain general and governor of his majesty's
territories and dominions in New-England, by or-
der from his majesty, James the H. king of Eng-
land, Scotland, France, and Ireland, the 31st of
October, 1687, took into his hands the govern-
ment of the colony of Connecticut, it being, by
his majesty, annexed to Massachusetts, and other
colonies under his excellency's government.
"FINIS."
Sir Edmund appointed officers civil and mili-
tary, through the colony, according to his plea-
sure. He had a council, at first, consisting of
a )out forty persons, and afterwards, of nearly
Jrty. Four of this number, Gov. Treat, John Fitz
Winthrop, Wait Winthrop, and John Allen, es-
^juires, were of Connecticut.
V.
Scarcely any thing could be more gloomy and
distressful, than the state of public affairs, in
Jew-England, at the beginning of this year. But
.r the midst of darkness light arose. While the
ople had prayed in vain to an earthly monarch,
their petitions had been more successfully pre-
sented to a higher throne. Providence wrought
gloriously for their and the nation's deliverance.
On the 5th of November, 1688, the prince of Or-
ange landed at Torbay, in England. He imme-
diately published a declaration of his design, in
visiting the kingdom. A copy of this was re-
ceived at Boston, by one Mr. Winslow, a gentle-
man from Virginia, in April 1689. Governor
Andross and his council were so much alarmed
with the news, that they ordered Mr. Winslow to
be arrested and committed to jail for bringing a
SUPPLEMENT. 376
false and traitorous libel into the country. They
also issued a proclamation comm rriduig all the
officers and people to be in readmess to prevent
the landing of any forces which the prince of
Orange might send into that part of America.
But the people, who sighed under their burthens,
secretly wished and prayed for success to his glo-
rious undertaking. The leaders in the country
determined quietly to await the event; but the
great body of the people had less patience.
Stung With past injuries, and encouraged at the
first intimations of relief, the fire of liberty re-
kindled, and the flame, which, for a long time,
had been smothered in their bosoms, burst forth
with irresistible violence.
On the 1:5th of April, the inhabitants of Boston
and the adjacent towns rose in arms, made them-
selves masters of the castle, seized Sir Edmund
Andross and his council, and persuaded the old
governor and council, at Boston, to resume the
government.
On the ^th of May, 1669, governor Robert
Treat, deputy governor James Bishop, and the
former magistrates, at the desire of the freemen,
resumed the government of Connecticut. Major
general John Winthrop was, at the same time
chosen into the magistracy, to complete the
number appointed by charter. The freemen vo-
ted, that, for the present safety of tliat part of
New-England called Connecticut, the necessity
of its circumstances so requiring, "they would
re-establish government, as it was before, and at
the time, when Sir Edmund Andross took it, and
so have it proceed, as it did before that time, ac-
cording to charter; engaging themselves to sub-
mit to it accordingly, until there should be a legal
establishment among them."
SUPPLEMENT.
The assembly having formed, came to the fol-
lowing resolution: "That whereas this court
hath been interrupted, in the management of the
government in this colony of Connecticut, for
nineteen months past, it is now enacted, ordered,
and declared, that all the laws of this colony,
made according to charter, and courts constituted
for the admmistration of government, as they
were before the late interruption, shall be of full
force and virtue, for the future, and until this
court shall see cause to malvc further and other
alterations, according to charter." The assembly
then confirmed all military officers in their re-
spective posts, and proceeded to appoint their
civil officers, as had been customary at the May
session.
W.
An Address to King William, June ]oth, 168D:
To the king's most excellent majesty.
The humble address ofyour majesty's dutiful and
loyal subjects, the governor and- company of
your majesty's colony of Connecticut, in New-
England.
Great Sovereign,
GREAT was that day, when the Lord, who
sitteth upon the floods, and sitteth king forever,
did divide his and your adversaries from one an-
other, like the waters of Jordan forced to stand
upon an heap, and did begin to magnify you like
Joshua, in the sight of all Israel, by those great
actions that were so much for the honor of God,
and the deliverance of the English dominions
from Dopery and slavery, and all this separated
from those sorrows that usually attend the intro-
ducing of a peaceable settlement in any troubled
state; all which doth affect us with the sense of
^UPPLEJVTENT. 377
our duty to return the highest praise unto the
King of Kings and Lord of Hosts, and bless
Him, who hath delighted in you, to sit you on the
throne of his Israel, and to say because the Lord
loved Israel forever, therefore hath he made you
king to do justice and judgment, &c. also hum-
ble and hearty acknowledgement for that great
zeal, that by your majesty hath been expressed in
those hazards, you have put your royal person to,
and in the expense of so great treasure in the de-
fence of the protestant interest. In the conside-
ration of all whichj we, your majesty's dutiful and
loyal subjects of your said colony, are encouraged
humbly to intimate that we, with much favor, ob-
tained a charter of king Charles II. of happy me-
mory, bearing date April 23d, 1662, in the 14tb
year of his reign, granted to the governor and
company of his majesty's colony of Connecticut,
the advantages and privileges whereof made us
indeed a very happy people, and by the blessing
of God upon our endeavors, we have made a con-
siderable improvement of your dominions herer
which, with the defence of ourselves from the
force of both foreign and intestine enemies, has
cost us much expense of treasure and blood ; yet
in the second year af the reign of his late majesty
king James the H. we had a quo-warranto served
upon us by Edward Randolph, requiring our ap-
pearance before his majesty's court, in England ^
and although the time of our appearance was
elapsed before the serving the said quo-warranto,.
yet we humbly petitioned his majesty for his fa-
vor, and the continuance of our charter, with the
privileges thereof; but we received no other fa-
vor but a second quo-warranto, and we well ob-
serving that the charter of London, and other,
soosiderable cities in England were condemaed,
32*
m^,
378 SUPPLEMENT.
and that the charter of the Massachusetts had
undergone the like fate, plainly saw what we
mi:yht expect, yet we not judging it good or law-,
fui to be active in surrendering what had cost us
so dear, nor to be altogether silent, we employed
an attorney to appear in our behalf, and to prefer
our humble address to his majesty, to entreat his
favor quickly upon it ; but as Sir Edmund An-
dross informed us he was empowered by his ma-
jesty to regain the surrender of our charter, if we
saw meet so to do, and to take ourselves under
his government ; also colonel Thomas Dungan,
his majesty's governor of New-York, labored to
gain us over to his government : we withstood all
these motions, and in our reiterated addresses, we
petitioned his majesty to continue us in the full
and free enjoyment of our liberties and property,
civil and sacred, according to our charter. We
also petitioned, that if his majesty should not see
meet to continue us as we were, but was resolved
to annex us to some other government, we then
desired, that (in as much as Boston had been our
old correspondents, and people whose pirnciples
and manners we had been acquainted with) we
might be annexed rather to Sir Edmund Andross
his government, than to colonel Dungan's which
choice of ours was taken for a resignation of our
government, though that was never intended by
us for such, nor had it tlie formalities in law to
make it a resignation, as we humbly conceive,
yet Sir Edmund Andross was commissioned, by
his majesty, to take us under his government;
pursuant to which about the end of October, 1 6S7,
he with a company of gentlemen and grenadiers.^
to the number of sixty or upwards came to Hart-
ford (the chief seat of this government) caused his.
Qonamission to be read, and declared our govern-
SUPPLEMENT.
ment to be dissolved, and put into commission
both civil and military officers througli our colo-
ny as he pleased, where he passed through the
principal parts thereof. The good people of the
colony, though they were under a great sense of
injuries they sustained hereby, yet'chose rather
to be silent and patient than to oppose, being in-
deed surprised into an involuntary submission to
an arbitrary power, but when the governniunt we
were thus put under, seemed to us, to be deter-
mined, and we being m daily fear and hazard of
those many inconveniences, that will arise from
a people in want of government, being also in
continual danger of our lives by reason of the
natives being at war with us, wifh whom we had
just fears of our neighboring French to join, not
receiving any order or direction what method to
take for our security, we were necessitated to put
ourselves into some form of government, and
there being none so familiar to us as that of our
charter, nor what we could make so effectual for
the gaining the universal compliance of the peo-
ple, and having never received any intimation of
an enrolment of that, which was interpreted a re-
signation of our charter, we have presumed, by
the consent of the major part of the freemen, as-
sembled for that end, May 9th, 1689, to resume
our government, according to the rules of our
charter, and this to continue lill further order,
yet as we have tlius presumed to dispose ourselves,
not waiting orders from your majesty, we humbly
submit ourselves herein, intreating your majesty's
most gracious pardon, and that what our urgent
necessity hath put upon us, may no ways inter-
rupt your majesty's grace and favor towards us,
your most humble and dutiful subjects, but that
m your clemency you would be pleased to grant
380 SUPPLEMENT.
US such directions as to your princely vvisdowfe
may seem meei, with such ratifications and con-
firmations of our charter, in the fiill and free en-
joyment of all our properties, privileges, and li-
berties both civil and sacred, as therein granted
to us, by your royal predecessor, king Charles the
II. which may yet further insure it an inheritance
to us and our posterities after us, with what far-
ther grace and favor your royal and enlarged heart
may be moved to confer upon us ; which, we
trust, we shall not forget, nor be unprofitable un-
der ; but as we have this day with the greatest
dX'^ressions of joy, proclaimed your majesty and
* 3 il consort king and queen of England, France
Ireland, with the dominions thereto belong-
so we shall ever pray, that God would grant
,r majesties long to live, and prosperously to
gn over all your dominions, and tiiat great and
ppy work you have begun may be prospered
; ve and graciously rewarded with a crown of
irioiy hereafter.
ROBEPvT TREAT, Governor.
j,'-ir order of the general court of Connecticut,
signed, Joxin Allen, Secretary.
Note X.
Of the separation from the standing churches,
an account has been given, and of the disorders
and oppressions of those times when they com-
menced. Churches of this character were formed
in New-London, Stonington, Preston, Norwich,.
Lyme, Canterbury, Plainfield, Windsor, Suflield
and Middletovvn. Some of their churches and
congregations were nearly as large as some of
the standing churches. There were ten or twelve
churches and congregations of this denomination,
%st and last, in the colonv. Sonie of them ca?-
SUPPLEMENT. 381
Hed their enthusiasm to a greater extent than
others. In New London, they carried it to such
a degree, that they made a large fire to burn their
books, clothes, and ornaments, which they called
their idols ; and which they now determined to
forsake and utterly to put away. This imagina-
ry work of piety and self-denial they undertook
on the Lord's day, and brought their books, neck-
daces and jewels together, in the main-street.
They began with burning their erroneous books :
dropping them one after another into the fire,
pronouncing these words, " If the author of this
book died in the same sentiments and faith in
which he wrote it, as the smoke of this pile as-
cends, so the smoke of his torment will ascend
forever and ever. Hallelujah. Amen." But
they were prevented from burning their clothes
and jewels. John Lee of Lyme, told them his
idols were his wife and children, and that he
could not burn them : it would be contrary to
the laws of God and man : That it was impossi-
ble to destroy idolatry without a change of hearty
and of the affections.
Note Y.
The Rev. Mr. Dean went to England, and took
orders for the church at Hebron, but died at sea,
on his return, about the year 1745. The Rev. Mr.
Punderson of Groton, then preached to them and
administered the sacrament from 1746 to 1752.
The people of Hebron, were very unfortunate
with respect to the gentlemen who went to Eng-
land for orders in their behalf A Mr. Cotton, in
1752, received orders for them, but he died on his
passage for New-England, with the small pox.
Mr. Graves of Nevv'-London, served them from
1752 to 1757. In 1757, one Mr. Usher wen^ foF
382 SUPPLEMENT.
orders in their behalf. He was taken by the
French on his passage to England, and died in
captivity.
The Rev. Samuel Peters was ordained their
priest, in August, 1759, and the next year return-
ed to New-England. He continued priest at I^-
bron, until the commencement of the revolutiona-
ry war, soon after which, he left this country for
Great-Britain.
Note Z.
As literature and a general diffusion of chris-
tian knowledge were considered as iiighly im-
' rtant for the maintaining and advancing of re-
■ ion, as well as for the liberty, dignity and hap-
less of the commonwealth, the collegiate school
.iitracted the special attention, both of the legis-
iRfure and cler^xy. Though gericrous donations
d been made for its encouragement and sup-
p rt, yet the state of it was far from being flourish-
{> r and happy. The students were separated
o from another. The senior class were- at
M.ltbrd, under the instruction of" Mr. Andrew, the
.o",tor pro tempore, and the other classes at Say-
.^ii^ok, under the instruction of two tutors. In
this scattered state, the principal part of the
school were very little benefitted by tJie instruc-
tions and government of the rector, v/hieh were
of great importance to its general order and ad-
vancement. The books were necessarily divided
and exposed to be lost. The same general bene-
fit could not, in this state, be derived from the
library. At the same time the scholars were dis-
satisfied, both with the place and manner of their
instruction. They judged that Saybrook was not
sufficiently compact tor their accommodation.
Some of them were obliged to reside more than a
SUPPLEMENT. 383
mile from the place of their public exercises.
They were n > better pleased with their instruc-
tion and government, as they had no resident rec-
tor, and the tutors were often young and inexpe-
rienced. The students were not the only persons
who complained. From the beginning, there
had been a disagreement with respect to the
place where the college should be fixed. Mens'
opinions with respect to it were generally govern-
ed by their interest. They generally chose the
place which would best accommodate them-
selves. This created warm parties in the colony,
and even created a division amonsc the trustees.
Some were for continuing it at Saybrook, others
were zealously engaged to remove it to Hartford
or Weathersfield. A third party were not less
engaged finally to fix it at New-Haven. In this
state of things, numbers of the students became
clamorous, and openly manifested their disaffec-
tion and disrespect towards their tutors. This
made it necessary for the trustees to meet and
examine the reasons of their uneasiness and dis-
order.
They met at Saybrook, April 4th 1716. When
the scholars came before them, they complained
of the insufficiency of their instruction and the
inconveniences of the place, as their principal
grievances. Especially the scholars from Hart-
ford, Weathersfield, and the towns in that vicini-
ty, alleged, that it was a hardship to oblige them
to reside at Saybrook, when they could be as well
instructed and much better accommodated near
home. It has been the tradition, that most of
these complaints had been suggested to them by
others, with a view to foment a general uneasi-
ness, and by these means affect the removal of
the college.
384 SUPPLEMEJS'ic
After a long debate on the circumstances of
the school, it appeared that the trustees were no
better agreed than the students, and that some of
them were governed by motives which they did not
choose openly to avow. Some of them so strongly
advocated the cause of the Hartford and Weath-
ersfield scholars, that a majority of the trustees
condescended to give a toleration to them, and
others who were most uneasy, to go to such pla-
ces of instruction, until commencement, as should
best suit their inclinations. The consequence
was, that the greatest part of them went to
Weathersfield, aud put themselves under the in-
- uction of the Rev. Elisha Williams, pastor of
ti 8-church in Nevvint. Some went to other pla-
ins, and a number continued at Saybrook. But
,i J small pox, soon after, breaking out in the
vn, these generally removed to East Guilford,
i were under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. Hart,
d Mr. Russell, till the commencement.
As the collegiate school was in this broken
te, and as the trustees were not agreed among
imselves, in what place it should be fixed, the
:)ple, in different parts of the colony, began to
)scrlbe considerable sums for the building of a
college, that, by these means, they might induce
the trustees to fix it accordino- to their wishes.
About 700 pounds sterling was subscribed for
the establishment of it at New-Haven, 500 pounds
for fixing it at Saybrook, and considerable sums,
for the same purpose, at Hartford and Weathers-
field.
At the commencement, Sept. 12th, 1716, the
trustees met, at Saybrook, and took into conside-
ration the state and place of the collegiate school,
but as they could not agree with respect to the
place in which it should be established, they ad-
SUPPLEMENT. 385
jounied, until the 17th of October, to meet at
New-Haven.
The trustees, for the first time, met at New-
Haven, according to adjournment. There weve
present, the Rev. Messrs. Samuel Andrew, Timo-
thy Worjdbridge, Joseph Webb, Samuel Russel,
Moses Noyes, John Davenport, Thomas Bucking-
ham and Tiiomas Ruggles. They had now had
further time and opportunity to consult the opin-
ions and feelings of the people, to obtain tfce
opinion of Governor Salstonstall, and of the Gen-
eral Assembly, and to know what subscriptions
had been made for one place and another. Hav-
ing obtained all the information on the subject
which they judged necessary, they voted, " That
considering the difficulties of continuing the col-
legiate school at Saybrook, and that New-Haven
is a convenient place for it, for which the most
liberal donations are given, the trustees agree to
remove the said school from Saybrook to New-
Haven, and it is now settled at New Haven ac-
cordingly." Five of the trustees present, were
in the vote ; Mr. Woodbridge and Mr. Bucking-
ham were for Weathersfield. Mr N^oyes declar-
ed that he did not see the necessity of removing
the school from Saybrook : btit if it must be re-
moved, his mind was to settle it at New-Haven.
The trustees at this m etins:, received 250
pounds sterlins^, which the General Assembly had
granted some years before, arising from the sale
of the equivalent lands. They had before in the
treasury ab^ut 125 pounds. These sums, with
the 1 «r(yn subscriptions which had been made for
the budding of the college at New-Haven, en-
courage 1 thr- trustees to vote that they would
build a large, convenient college, and a rector's
SS6 SUPPLEMENT.
house at New-Haven : and they appointed a com-
niiltee to accomplish the work.
They voted, that the Rev. Mr. Andrew should
continue rector, pro tempore until a fixed rector-
could be obtained. They also appointed two
tutors : and gave orders that all the students be-
longing to the school, should repair to New-Ha-
ven for instruction and government. At the same
time, they appointed Mr. Stephen Buckingham
of^Norwalk, one of the trustees. The scholars
who had been studying at East Guilford, came to
New-Haven, according to the direction of the
trustees ; but none came from Weathersfield.
Such was their obstinacy, and such the counte-
pi. nee and support which others gave them, that
■ ;y continued their studies there until the next
nmencement. The trustees sent the record of
meir doings at this meeting, to the Rev. Mr.
James Noyes of Stonington, who on the I9th of
December, signed it, and declared his hearty con-
currence with every vote.
The trustees met again at New-Haven, the
next April. At this meeting, seven trustees, the
Tlev. Messrs. James Noyes, Samuel Andrew,
S?<n{uel Russel, Joseph Webb, John Davenport,
Thorjr^i Ruggles, and Stephen Buckingham,
were present. The acts which had been passed
at the preceding meeting, at this were read, voted
and subscribed by all the members present, ex-
cept Mr. Buckingham, who on account of his re-
latives and friends at Saybrook, judged it expedi-
ent not to act.
While the trustees in general, were fixed in
their determination to establish the college at
New-Haven, they met with a strong opposition
from gentlemen in the northern and eastern parts
of the colony. The people in general, were
SUPPLEMENT. 387
warmly engaged on one side or the other, which
occasioned the affair several times to be taken up
and warmly debated in the General Assembly.
No act however, had as yet been passed relating
to the subject. The trustees pursuing their own
resolutions with firmness and constancy, held the
commencement at New-Haven. Mr. Andrew
moderated as rector pro tempore. Four senior
sophisters came from Saybrook, and received the
degree of Bachelor of Arts, and numbers were
admitted to the degree of Masters. The number
of students was thity-one : of whom thirteen, the
past year, had studied at New- Haven, fourteen at
Weathersiield, and four at Saybrook.
Soon after the conjmencement, the college
house was raised at New-Haven. Nevertheless,
Messrs. Woodbridge, Buckingham, and their re-
spective parties, persisted in their opposition to
the proceedings of the trustees. They, in the
October session, presented a remonstrance to the
Assembly, alledging, that the votes of the trustees
to fix the college at New-Haven, in. October 17th,
1716, and April 5th, 1718, were not legal. They
insisted, That the major part of them were not in
the votes, and that one was not qualified accord-
ing to law: That in October, 171G, there were,
at least, nine existing trustees, and that four of
them only were in the vote : That Mr. Ruggles
was chosen before he was forty years of age ; and
that the choice was therefore null: and that Mr.
Noyes' consent to the votes so long after, and at
such a distance, could avail nothing to their con-
firmation. In the acts of April, 1717, they'
aflirmed that there were five trustees only out of
ten.
The trustees replied, That in October, 1716,
there were but nine trustees : That a vacancy had
oS8 SUPPLEMENT.
been made by the death of Mr. Pierpont, which
had not been supplied ; and that Mr. Mather of
Windsor, had been bed-rid many years, had re-
signed his ministry, and could not, in those cir-
cumstrnces, be considered as a trustee. They
pleaded, that if Mr. Pvuggles was not forty years
of age at the lime of his nomination, yet that at
the time when the vote was passed, he had arrived
to that age ; and that the trustees, in conformity
to their previous nomination, admitting him to sit
and act, had associated him according to their
charter. With respect to Mr. Noyes, they re-
plied, that as they were not limited as to the
manner of their acting, he, though absent at tlie
time of their meeting, might give his consent to
said act, by subscribing it at home, some time af-
ter, as well as if he had been present. They
therefore insisted that there was a majority of six
out of nine : and that in April, 1717, after the
choice of Mr. Stephen Buckingham, there was a
majority of six out often. They further insisted,
that if Mr. Ruggles should not be reckoned at
either of the mejtings, nor Mr. Noyes, nor any
other of the trustees when absent, that there was
a majority of those present, which constituted a
legal act.
After a full hearing, the upper house resolved,
" That the objections against the vote of the trus-
tees, were insufficient." The lower house after
a long debate, resolved nothing relative to the
subject. This shows how deeply the colony felt
itself interested in this affair, and how unhappily
it was divided.
The trustees, who were then convened at New-
Haven, wishing to remove all occasion of objec-
tion for t!ie future, passed a vote, in which they
declared Mr. Ruggles to be a trustee, and asso-
SUPPLEMENT. 389
ciated him as such. They also passed a vote,
predicated on several former acts, in which they
finally fixed the college at New-Haven. To this,
for the greater selemnity, seven of the trustees,
James Noyes, Moses Noyes, Samuel Andrew,
Samuel Russel, Joseph Webb, John Davenport,
and Thomas Ruggles, set their hands. The rea-
sons assigned by the trustees for establishing the
college at New-Haven, were, the difficulties of
keeping it at Saybrook, arising partly from the
uneasiness of the students, and partly from the
continual attempts of numbers of gentlemen to
remove it to Hartford. They judged that to be
too far from the sea, and that it would by no
means accommodate the western and southern
colonies, in most of which, at that period, there
were no colleges. They were also of opiniori,
that New-Haven, on the account of its commo-
dious situation, the salubrity and agreeableness
of its air, and the cheapness of its commodities,
was the best adapted to that purpose. Further,
the largest donations had been made there, with-
out which they could not defray the expense of
building the college house.
In these circumstances, the General Assembly,
desirous of strengthening the hands of the trustees
and of promoting the interests of the college, be-
fore the close of the sessions, in October, passed
the following act: "That under the present cir-
cumstances of the collegiate school, the reverend
trustees be advised to proceed in that affair, and
to finish the house which they have built in New-
Haven for the entertainment of the scholars be-
longing to the collegiate school." At the same
time, the Assembly granted one hundred pounds
to be distributed among the instructors of the
college.
33*
389 * SUPPLEMENT.
Notwithstanding it seemed as though the col-
lege was now established at New-Haven, both by
the trustees and the General Assembly, there
were gentlemen who continued fixed in the plan
of establishing it at Weathersfield. They en-
couraged the students who had been instructed
there the last year, who were about fourteen in
number, to continue their studies still in the same
place. At the session in May following, the
house of representatives voted, " to desire the
trustees to consent that the commencement should
be held alternately at Weathersfield and New-
Haven, till the place of the school be fully de-
termined."
About this time, the college at New-Haven re-
ceived a number of large and generous donations ;
which at this period, when the college was strug-
ling under so many difliculties, were peculiarly
acceptable. Governor Yale, who in 1714, had
sent over forty volumes in Mr. Dummer's collec-
tion, sent to the college, the last year, three hun-
dred volumes more. It was computed that both
parcels were worth a hundred pounds sterling.
This year, 1718, he sent over goods to the amount
of two hundred pounds sterling, prime cost, with
the king's picture and arms. He gave intima-
tions, that he would still add. Three years after,
he sent the value of a hundred f)ounds more.
Mr. Dummer, at the same time, sent seventy-six
volumes of books, twenty of which were folios.
The whole were estimated at thirty pounds ster-
ling. Governor Salstonstall and Jahaleel Ben-
ton, Esq. of Newport, each of them made to the
college a present of fifty pounds sterling. By
these and several otlier large donations, the
school experienced a happy alteration. The col-
lege which had been erected the last October, was
SUPPLEMENT. 390
now so far finished, as to be fit for the reception
and accommodation of all the students. It was
a hundred and seventy feet in length, and twenty-
two feet in breadth. It was three stories high,
and made a very handsome appearance. It con-
tained nearly fifty studies in large chambers. It
was furnished with a convenient hall, library and
kitchen. The cost of it was about a thousand
pounds sterling.
On the 12th of September, ihere was a splen-
did commencement at New-Haven. Exclusive of
the trustees, there were present, the Hon. Gurdon
Salstonstall, Esq. Governor of Connecticut, the
Hon. William Taylor, Esq. as representing Gov.
Yale, the Hon. Nathan Gould, Esq. deputy go-
vernor, several of the assistants and judges of the
circuit, a large body of the clergy, and numerous
spectators.
The trustees, impressed with a sense of gover-
nor Yale's great generosity, called the collegiate
school Yale College, and entered a memorial of
it upon record, of which the following is a transla-
tion :
" The trustees of the collegiate school, consti-
tuted in the splendid town of New-Haven, in
Connecticut, being enabled by the most generous
donation of the honorable Elihu Yale Esq. to
finish the college house, already begun and
erected, gratefully considering the honor due to
such and so great a Benefactor and Patron, and
being desirous, in the best manner, to perpetuate
to all ages, the memory of so great a benefit, con-
ferred chiefly on this colony : We the trustees
having the honor of being entrusted with an af-
fair of so great importance to the common good
of the people, especially of this province, do with
one consent agree, determine, and ordain that
392 SUPPLEMENT.
our College House shall be called by the name
of its munificent Patron, and shall be named Yale
College: That this Province may keep and pre-
serve a lasting monument of such a generons Gen-
tlemen, who by so great benevolence and gene-
rosity, has provided for their greatest good, and
the peculiar advantage of the inhabitants, both
in the present and future ages."
On the morning of the commencement, this
testimonial of generosity and gratitude was pub-
lished with solemn pomp, in the college hall, both
in Latin and English. The procession then
moved to the meeting house, and attended the
public exercises of the day.
At this commencement, eight young gentle-
men received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and
a number were admitted to the degree of Mas-
ters.
On the same day on which the commencement
was holden with so much celebrity at New Ha-
ven, a dissatisfied party held a kina of commence-
ment at Weathersfifeld, in the presence of a large
number of spectators. Five scholars, who were
originally of the same class with those who now
received their degrees at New-Haven, performed
public exercises. Mr. Woodbridge moderated^
and he with Mr. Buckingham, and other ministers
present, signed certificates, expressing their opin-
ions, that they were worthy of the degree of
Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Woodbridge, in a formal
manner, gave them these certificates in the meet-
ing house ; and this was commonly taken and re-
presented as giving their degrees..
Soon after the commencement, the trustees
sent a complaisant letter of thanks to governor
Yale, expressing the deep sense which tliey had
of his generosity, and certifying him of all the
SEJPPLEMENT. 393
transactions at tfie commencement. They also
sent a letter of thanks to their sjreat friend and
benefactor, Jeremiah Dummer, Esq. for his late
donation of books; they also forwarded another
to General Nicholson, for his donation of books
in Mr. Dummer's collection.
The conduct of the two trustees, Woodbridge
and Buckingham, in holding a commencement
and giving degrees at Weathersfield, could be
considered in no other point of light than that of
a great misdemeanor, and highly reprehensible.
It was a direct violation of the acts of the trustees
and the resolutions of the General Assembly, to-
tally inconsistent with their duty as trustees, and
calculated in its whole tendency, to keep up di-
vision and disorder in the college and in the co-
lony. The scholars, by withdrawing themselves
from the government and instruction of the col-
lege, had little claim to its honors. Mr. Wood-
bridge and Mr. Buckingham, were men of impor-
tant characters, and their influence in the colony
was very considerable.
It was the desire of the legislature and trustees,
as far as possible to conciliate their friendship
towards the college, and towards themselves, and
to quiet the minds of their party.
When the General Assembly came together in
October, they therefore passed the following re-
solutions, to compose the difliculties which had
arisen on account of the establishment of the
college at New-Haven, and to affect a good
agreement among the trustees, and in the colony
in general.
1. "That the annual salary allowed out of the
public treasury to the collegiate school, for the
year past, shall be distributed to the tutors at
394 SUPPLEMENT.
New Haven, Weathersfield, and Saybrook, in
proportion to the scholars under their tuition.''
2. "That the scholars who performed their ex-
ercises at Weathersfield, shall have their degrees
at New-Haven, without further examination ; and
that all scholars entered at the school in Weath-
ersfield, shall be admitted to the same standing
in the school in New-Haven."
3. "That there shall be oOO pounds allowed
for the building of a State House at Hartford,
which money shall be procured by the sale of
land belonging to this colony, and shall be put
into the hands of s'.ich a committee as the As-
sembly shall appoint for that use : and it is order-
ed, that the scholars at Weathersfield, shall come
doun to New Haven."
4. " That 50 pounds be procured by the sale of
such lands as above said, and given to the town
of Savbrook, for the use of the school in said
town."
5. " Tlie Governor and council, at the desire
of the trustees in said college, shall give such or-
ders as they shall think proper, for tiie removing
of the books, belonging to the said college, left
at Saybrook, to the library provided for the pla-
cing of them at New-Haven."
6. " That the several particulars above men-
tioned, that relate to the said college, be recom-
mended by the governor and council, to the
trustees of the said school, for their observation :
and that said college be carried on, promoted
and encouraged at New-Haven, and all due care
taken for its flourishing."
The trustees came fully into the measures re-
commended by the General Assembly. They
ordered, " that if any of those five scholars should
produce to the rector, a testimony under the
SUPPLEMENT. 395
hands of any two of the trustees, of their having
been approved as qualified for a degree, the rec-
tor, upon easy and reasonable terms, should give
them a diploma in the usual form, and that tiieir
names should be inserted in the class, as they
were at first placed. This was finally accom-
plished, and the consequences were happy.
Upon the previous desire of the trustees, the
governor and council met at Saybrook, in De-
cember following, and granted a warrant to the
sheriff, authorising him to deliver the books to
the trustees : But notwithstanding the pacific
measures which the legislature had adopted, there
was opposition to the removal of them. The
sheriff when he came to the house where they
had been kept, found it filled and surrounded
with men, determined to resist him. He, with
his attendants, nevertheless, forcibly entered the
house, and delivered the books according to his
orders, and they were conveyed to New-Haven :
but such was the resistance and confusion at-
tending the transaction, that about two hundred
and fifty of the most valuable books and several
important papers, were conveyed away by per-
sons unknown, and no discovery could ever be
made of them.
Note (a)
The episcopal church in Stratford is the oldest
of that denomination in the state. Of the origin
of this, an account was given in the first volume
of this history. But, episcopacy made very little
progress in Connecticut, until after the declara-
tion of rector Cutler, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Wetmore
and Mr. Brown, for episcopacy, in 1722. Num-
bers of Mr. Johnson'^ and Mr. Wetmore's hear-
ers professed episcopacy with them, and set up
396 SUPPLEalENT-
the worship of God, according to the manner of
the church of England, in West and North Ha-
ven Mr. afterwards Dr. Johnson, was a gentle-
men distinguished for literature, of popular ta-
lents and engaging manners. In 1724, after
receiving episcopal ordination in England, he re-
turned to Stratford, and under his ministry, to
that and the neighboring churches of that de-
nomination, they were increased.
Note (b)
The trustees, wishing to remove all inconvenien-
ces and to put the college under the best advan-
tages, convened the next year in March, and
made choice of the Rev. Timothy Cutler of Strat-
ford, to be the resident rector until their next
meeting. He came almost directly to New-Ha-
ven, and entered on the instruction and govern-
ment of the college. When the trustees met at
the next commencement, they voted, " That Mr.
Cutler's service hitherto, in the place of a rector
was to their satisfaction, and therefore they de-
sired him te continue in it."
While the trustees were attempting to put the
college upon the best establishment, the legisla-
ture had enacted for their encouragement, that
three hundred pounds worth of new lands should
be sold, and that forty pounds annually should
be paid to the instructors for the term of seven
years.
To make cempensation to the people of Strat-
ford, for the removal of their minister, the trustees
agreed to give tht m Mr. Cutler's house and home
lot, which they purchased for eigty-four pounds ;
sterling. To accommodate Mr. Cutler and his
family, at New-Haven, they built the rector's
house, which, with the lands on which it was
SUPPLEMENT. 39T
^jrected, cost them two hundred and sixty pounds
sterling.
Rector Cutler was popular, acceptable to the
legislature and the clergy, and the students were
quiet under his instructions and government.
The college appeared now to be firmly establish-
ed, and in a flourishing and happy state. But,
from a quarter entirely unexpected, it suifered a
sudden and great change. At the commence-
ment, it was discovered, that the rector, and Mr.
Brown, one of the tutors, had embraced episco-
pacy, and that they and two of the neighboring
ministers, Mr. Johnson of West-Haven, and Mr.
Wetmore of North Hav^ n, had agreed to re-
nounce the communion of the churches in Con-
necticut, and to take a voyage to England and
receive episcopal ordination. Scarcely any thing
<:^ould have been more surprising to the trustees,
or the people in general, as they had no suspi-
-cions that the rector was inclining to episcopacy,
as there was no episcopalian minister fixed in the
colony, and as very few of the laity were inclined
4o that persuasion.
Oovernor Salstonstall was a great man, well
versed in the episcopal controversy, and the tra-
dition has been, that he judged it of such gene-
ral importance, in the then circumstances of the
colony, that the point sh<»i}l(i be well underst<>od,
that he publicly disputed it with Mr. Cutler, at
the commencement, and that he was judged by
the clergy and spectators in general, to have
been superior to him as to argument, and gave
them much satisfaction relative to the subject.
It was supposed that several other gentlemen of
considerable character amonj? the clergy, were
in the scheme of declaring for episcopacy and of
^^arrying over the people of Connecticut in gene-
34
398 SUPPLEMENT.
ral, to that persuasion. But as they had beea
more private in their measures, and had made no
open profession of episcopacy, when they saw
the consequences with respect to the rector, and
the other ministers, that the people would not
hear them, but dismissed them from their service,
they were glad to conceal their former purposes,
and to continue in their respective places.
The trustees at the commencement, passed no
resolve relative to the rector, but gave themselves
time to know the general opinion of the people,
and to consult the legislature on the subject.
But, meeting in October, while the Assembly,
were in session at New-Haven, they came to the
following resolutions : " That the trustees, in
faithfulness to the trust reposed in them, do ex-
cuse the Rev. Mr. Cutler from all further services
as rector of Yale College: That the trustees ac-
cept of the resignation which Mr. Brown hath
made as tutor." Voted, " That all such persons
as shall hereafter be elected to the office of rec-
tor or tutor in this college, shall before they are
accepted therein, before the trustees, declare
their assent to the confession of faith owned and
assented to by the elders and messengers of the
churchas in this colony of Connecticut, assembled
by delegation at Say brook, Sept. 9th, 1708 : and
confirmed by act of the General Assembly : and
shall particularly give satisfaction to them, of the
soundness of their faith, in opposition to Arminian
and prelatical corruptions, or of any other of
dangerous consequence to the purity and peace
of our churches : But if it cannot be before the
trustees, it shall be in the power of any two trus-
tees, with the rector, to examine a tutor, with re-
spect to the confession and soundness of his faith,
in opposition to such corruptions." They also
SUPPLEMENT. 3^
voted, "That unon just ground of suspicion of
the rector's or tiitorV inrlination to Arminian or
prelatic principleis, a meeting of the trustees shall
be called, as soon as may be, to examine into the
case."*
. Mr. Cutler and Mr. Brown, having been thus
dismissed from their services at the college, and
Mr. Johnson about the same time, having been
dismissed from his pastoral relation, soon after
went to England, with a view to receive episco-
pal ordination. They all received holy orders.
While they were in England, they visited the
universities, and were received by the vice chan-
cellor of each and the heads of houses with pecu-
liar marks of esteem. Mr. Cutler had the degree
of Doctor in Divinity conferred upon him, and
Mr. Johnson that of Master of Arts in both uni-
versities. Dr. Cutler returned in the character
of a missionary, from the society to the episcopal
church in Boston. Mr. Johnson, upon his return
about the year 1724, became the fixed missionary
of the church at Stratf^:>rd. Mr. Brown died soon
after ho had received orders. Mr. Wetmore
about this time, made a voyage to England, re-
ceived episcopal ordination, and was fixed as a
missionary at Rye, in the province of New- York.
He enjoyed a long ministry, and died at Rye,
1760. These were the first of the clergy who
declared for episcopacy in Connecticut, and were
very much the fethors «jf the episcopal church in
Connecticut and New-England.
400 supplement.
Note (c.)
At a meeting of the president and fellows at^
Yale College, November 21st, 1753 :
PRESENT,
The Rev. Thomas Clap, President.
The Rev. Messrs. Jared Elliot, Joseph Noyes,
Anthony Stoddard, Benjamin Lord, William Rus-
sell, Thomas Ruggles, Solomon Williams, and
Noah Herbert, Fellows.
" Whereas, the principal design of the pious
founders of the college, was to educate and train
up youth for the ministry in the churches of this
colony, according to the doctrine, discipline and
mode of worship received and practised in them;
and they particularly ordered, that the students
should be established in the principles of religion,
and grounded in polemical divinity, according to
the asembly's catechism. Dr. Ames' Medulla, and
Cases of Conscience, and that special care should
be taken in the education of the students, not to
suflfer them to be instructed in any different prin-
ciples or doctrines; and that all proper measures
should be taken to promote the power and purity
of religion, and the best edification and peace of
these churches.
" We, the successors of the said founders, being
in our own judgments of the same principles in
religion with our predecessors, and esteeming our-
selves bound in fidelity to the trust committed to
us, to carry on the same design, and improve all
the college estate committed to us, for the pur-
poses for which it was given, do explicitly and
fully resolve, as follows, viz.
" 1. That the scriptures of the Old and N-^w
Testament are the only rule of faith and practice,
in all matters of religion, and the standard by
SUPPLEMENT. 401
which all doctrines, principles and practices in
religion are to be tried and judged.
"2. That the assembly's catechism and confes-
sion of faith, received and established in the chur-
ches of this colony, (which is an abrigement of
the Westminster Confession) contain a true and
just sumniary of the most important doctrines of
the christian religion: and that the true sense of
the sacred scriptures is justly collected and sum-
med up in these compositions : and all expositions
of scripture, pretending to produce any doctrines
or positions contrary to the doctrines laid down in
these composures, we are of opinion are wrong
and erroneous.
" If any doubt or dispute should happen to
arise about the true meaning and sense of any
particular terms or phrases in the said compo-
sures, they shall be understood and taken in the
same sense in which such terms and phrases have
been generally used in the writings of protestant
divines, and especially in their public confessions
of faith.
"4. That we will always take all proper and
reasonable measures, such as christian prudence
shall direct, to continue and propagate the doc-
trines, contained in these summaries of religion,
in this college and transmit them to all future
successions and generations; and to use the like
measures to prevent the contrary doctrines from
prevailing in this society.
" 5. That every person who shall hereafter be
chosen president, fellow, professor of divinity, or
tutor, in this college, shall, before he enters upon
the execution of his office, publicly give his con-
sent to the said catechism and confession of faith,
as containinsf a just summary of the christian re-
ligion, as before expressed ; and renounce all doc-
34*
402 SUPPLEMENT.
trines or principles contrary thereunto ; and shall
pass through such an examination as the corpora-
tion shall think proper, in order to their being
fully satisfied that he shall do it truly without any
evasion or equivocation.
" 6. That since every such officer is admitted
into his post upon the condition aforesaid, if he
shall afterwards change his sentiments, entertain
any contrary set of principles or scheme of reli-
gion, and disbelieve the doctrines contained in
the said catechism and confession of faith, he can-
)t, consistent with common honesty and fidelity,
)ntinue in his post, but is bound to resign it.
" 7. That when it is suspected by any of the
orporation that any such officer is fallen from
le profession of his faith, as before mentioned,
nd is gone into any contrary scheme of princi-
ples, he shall be examined by the corporation.
" 8. That inasmuch as it is especially necessary
hat a professor of divinity should be sound in the
aith, besides the common tests before mentioned,
le shall publicly exhibit a full confession of his
'aith, drawn up by him in his own words and
')hrases, and shall in full and express terms re-
lounce all such errors as shall in any considera-
ble mea^Jure prevail at the time of his introduc-
tion. And if any doubt or question should arise,
about any doctrine or position, whether it be truth
or error, it shall be judged by the word of God,
taken in that sense of it which is contained and
declared in the said catechism and confession of
faith, as being a just exposition of the word of
God, in those doctrines or articles which are con-
tained in them.
" 9. That every person who shall be chosen
president, fellow, professor of divinity, or tutor in
this college, shall give his consent to the rules of
SUPPLEMENT. 405
church discipline, established in the ecclesiastical
constitution of the churches of this colony : It
being understood, that our ecclesiastical consti-
tution may admit of additions or alterations, in
such circumstances as accordmg to our confession
of faith, are to be regulated by the light of na-
ture, and the rules of christian prudence. And
it is especially declared, that if any person shall
deny the validity of the ordination of the minis-
ters of this colony, commonly called presbyterian
or congregational, or hold thnt it is necessary or
convenient that such ministers should be re or-
dain> d, in order to render their administrations
valid, it shall be deemed an essential departure
from our ecclesiastical constitution, and incon-
sistent with the intentions of the founders of this
college, that sueh a person should be chosen an
officer in it.
"iO. Yet, we suppose that it is not inconsis-
tent with the general design of the founders, and
it is agreeable to our own inclinations, to admit
protestants of all denominations to send their
children to receive the advantages of an educa-
tion in the college: provided that while they are
here, they conform to all the laws and orders
©fit."
All the fellows who have been admitted since
the above solemn act and declaration, have pub-
licly given their consent to the catechism and
confession of faith, in the subsequent form, viz :
^' I, A. B being chosen a fellow of Yale Col-
lege, do hereby declare, that I believe that the
assembly's catechism, and confession of faith, re-
ceived and estjiblished in this colony, and in this
college, contain a true and just summary of the
most important doctrines of the christian religion .^
404 SUPPLEMENT.
and that tho true sense of the sacred scriptures is
justly collected and summed up in those compo-
sitions. And all expositions of scripture pretend-
wfx t» deduce any doctrine or position contrary
to the said doctrines laid down in these compo-
sures, I believe are wrong and erroneous, and I
will always take all reasonable measures, and
such as christian prudence may direct, in my
place and station, to continue and propogate the
doctrines contained in tliose summaries of religion
in this college, and transmit them to all future
successions and generations: and use tlie like
measures to prevent the contrary doctrines from
evailing in this society.
"I do also consent to the rules of church disci-
i> ine, estlablished in the ecclesiastical constitu-
on of the churches of this colony."
Note (d.)
An early provision was therefore made, by
.^w, in Massachusetts and Conne(tticut, for the
support of the ministry. In Connecticut all per-
sons were obliged by law, to contribute to the
support of the church, as well as of the common-
vealt'j. All rates respecting the support of min-
ii^ters, or any ecclesiastical aflbirs, were to be
made ind collected in the same manner as the
,rates of the respective towns. Special care was
taken, that all persons should attend the means of
public instruction. The law obliged them to be
j)resent at tho public worship on the Lord's day,
and upon :dl days of public fnsting and prayer,
and of thanksii:ivings appointed by civil autiiority,
on penalty of a fine of five shdiinas f "r every in-
stance of neglect. Th^' C'MiiEjregational churches
were adopted and established by law ; but pro-
SITPPLEMENT. 46?^
\
vision was made that all sober, orthodox per-
sons, dissenting from them, should upon the mani-
festation of it to the general court, be allowed
peaceably to worship in their own way. It was
enacted, " That no persons within this colony,
shall in any wise embody themselves into church
estate, without consent of the general court,
and approbation of neighboring elders." The
laws also, prohibited that any ministry, or church
administration, should be entertained, or attend-
ed by the inhabitants of any plantation in the
colony, distinct and separate from, and in oppo-
sition to, that which was openly and publicly ob-
served and dispensed, by the approved minister of
the place; except it was by the approbation oi
the court and neighboring churches. The pe-
nalty for every breach of this act, was five
pounds.
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